Brig Newspaper. Volume 55, Issue 3.

VP COMMUNITIES HOPES NEW BILL COULD SOLVE STUDENT HOUSING PROBLEMS

By Leonie MacLeod News Editor

By Niamh Brook EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

2025 everyone! Welcome the 2025 elections edition of Brig Newspaper. If we do say so ourselves, it's a particularly good one.

This year has been a bit of a stressful one for Brig. We've had to move between three different offices, our committee has changed structure, we shifted to a different platform to organise ourselves. It's been an adjustment, but we've kept going, and managed to produce our third print edition of 2024-25. I think it may be the best one of this year.

Reporting on the union elections is always a particularly interesting job. We spend a week sprinting around campus making sure we interview every single candidiate we can get hold of, making sure everything gets uploaded onto the website.

As the election dates shifted, we put the final draft of this paper together as the results were announced. It ws a bit of a mad dash from the results announcement in the atrium up to our new office in Airthrey Castle, to make sure everything went into the paper. So, a big thank you to Jez, Ines and Jordyn for helping us make that possible.

The world has also changed a lot since our last print, and our team has gathered an impressive range of stories to cover it all. They've produced something incredible. So, I'm going to wrap up my editorial by thanking Leonie Macleod, Alice Pollard, Ali Rees, Hamish bell, Plum Mckechnie, Alex Paterson, Amelia Fryer, Imogen Robertson, Eleanor meehan. Edward Jewsbury, Jess Urquhart, Paul Smith, Anya Diggines, Kerry Lloyd, Robbie McAvenue, Kathryn Nutt, Rae Archibald, Tess Bowen, Ben Macswan, Sarah de Beer, Isla Barker, Dylan Burt, Connor Peebles, Spencer Haynes, Emma Christie, Madelene Mansson, Erin Schoolar and Melissa Thomson. You've done something amazing.

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VP Communities Justine Pédussel hopes that housing “might not be the biggest issue in the cost-ofliving crisis” after campaigning for change in the new Scottish Housing Bill.

In March 2024, The Scottish Government proposed the Housing Bill 2025. The Bill passed Stage one, where MSPs debated and voted on its general principles.

Pédussel has focused her campaigning on students’ issues, such as approaching Scottish Housing Minister, Paul McLennan MSP, about the amendment of the Tenancy Act 2016 to include student housing “in a positive light for the first time”.

She also worked with other Sabbatical Officers at Westminster to meet with MPs and encourage them to speak to MSPs about student housing rights. The Officers have met with around 14 MSPs so far.

She says, “We’re meeting with every single MSP and we’re

explaining what the situation is for students, telling them that there’s just nothing about student housing in the Bill and we have a list of demands.”

Pédussel created the brief alongside Ruth Elliot, VP Communities at Edinburgh University and Cameron Fields, Heriot-Watt's Students’ Union.

The National Union of Students found that 93 per cent of student renters reported issues with housing in 2023, with 42 per cent having mould or mildew, 41 per cent having issues with heating/cooling, and 22 per cent pest infestations such as mice and rats.

Guarantor schemes are in the works to be abolished, with Pédussel arguing that students are “forced into Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)” with rising costs pushing students into multiple jobs.

Another demand brought to MSPs is regulation for PBSA’s are regulated. The brief states that: “Rent levels must be tied to the quality of the accommodation provided - for

example, energy performance ratings, state of repair, and the size of property.”

The Scottish Housing Bill has six main parts, covering issues like rent, keeping pets and deposits.

For example, Part One proposed that Scottish Ministers should be given the power to introduce rent control areas.

These areas introduce restrictions on rent increases at the beginning of a tenancy and how often rent can increase.

Pédussel asserted that the Housing Bill will “regulate student housing and give it rent controls.”

Now in Stage two, MSP’s can issue amendments, which are then voted on by a committee.

There is no time frame for Stage

Two but it is expected to be completed by the end of April. Then, the amendments will be voted on to create the final draft of the Bill.

Image Credit: Ruth Elliott, EUSA VP Community

MACROBERT TO HOST THE ANNUAL PHOTOVIDEO AND ART EXHIBITION

The Stirling University Photo and Video Society are collaborating with the Stirling University Art Club to bring their annual exhibition to Macrobert Arts Centre from April 3 to May 19.

The exhibition, priced at £6.50 per ticket, highlights and supports the exceptional work and creativity of the two societies.

The Playhouse Foyer will be home to the collaborative exhibition. The venue is an accessible and beautiful space for students, staff, friends, family and everyone in between to visit the displays and admire the students' artwork.

Supporting and appreciating the creative societies at the University is vital for keeping them alive, harbouring their talents, and protecting their future.

Amongst the rising threat of AI to artistic futures, protecting the heart and soul of original art is more important than ever.

Brig reached out to the Photo and Video Society Committee. They told us about the positive impact that holding the exhibition has on their

society:

“The exhibition gives our members a platform to show off their talent, whilst supporting exchange and networking between societies since it's a collaboration,

“It's amazing for exposure as it is in a public venue where it's accessible for everyone, not just uni students.”

The committee expressed their excitement about getting together and celebrating art. They said:

“We’re excited to celebrate our creative community and our members’ hard work and talent, whilst discussing people’s art and drawing inspiration from it.

“It makes us feel proud and happy to have such a varied and talented mix of friends and students.

“It’s a massive confidence boost.

Photography is mostly digital nowadays so seeing your work printed makes it feel more real and tangible.”

You can book tickets for the exhibition through the Macrobert Arts Centre website.

By Alice Pollard Braw Editor

Image Credit: Wayne from UoS Photography Society.

Happy

POLITICS SOCIETY COLLABORATES WITH FEMINIST SOCIETY ON WOMEN’S WEEK EVENTS

By Ali Rees Secretary

As part of a week dedicated to celebrating women during women’s history month, the University’s Politics Society and Feminist Society are collaborating on a trio of events in March.

The free events are designed to highlight the struggles and experiences of women in politics and our society. They have been designed to focus on encouraging change through education.

The three events will happen during the week beginning March 17 and include a workshop on the history of women’s suffrage, a lecture on women’s experiences, and a panel on women in politics.

During the workshop on the history of women’s suffrage, attendees will engage in an interactive session exploring the history of women in politics and their struggle to achieve suffrage, alongside a discussion about the representation of women in politics, comparing past and present.

This workshop will feature guest speaker Dr. Ian Cawood, a Stirling University history lecturer.

The lecture on women’s experiences will feature speakers from Forth Valley/Stirling Women’s District Aid Shelter and explores women’s experiences politically and culturally.

It will include discussion of women as refugees and immigrants and their treatment at home and abroad, as well as highlighting

global cultural issues faced by women, including abortion access and period poverty.

The panel on women in politics will be a discussion of women’s experiences in politics and touch on issues such as women’s involvement in politics, the history of female representation need for greater representation of women in politics today.

Guests for the panel include Labour MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy Melanie Ward, former NUS women’s officer and former SNP MP Hannah Bardell, Green Party MSP for North East Scotland Maggie Chapman, and Claire Baker, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife.

Stirling’s Feminists for Equality Movement Society (Fem Soc) said about the events: “Politics is a very male dominated space, so being able to have women within that field share their experiences; not only amplifies their voices but gives

them the recognition they deserve for existing within a space they aren't exactly welcomed into with open arms.

“We hope the events inspire those with an interest in politics to pursue it. The events were crafted to show that it is possible for women to exist, thrive, and exercise their

The Politics Society said: “The events are to highlight the struggle women have faced but also the achievements of many great women in society.”

THE UNIVERSITY’S UPDATED RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT POLICY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

By Hamish Bell

The University of Stirling recently released an update to their socially responsible investment policy. Many of the changes were championed by students.

An institution's investment policy dictates what places they should invest their money into, usually aimed at making the most money. It also lays out which non-economic principles should be taken into account when investing.

A responsible investment policy adds an ethical dimension to these decisions.

The issue areas mentioned in such a policy will tell you which sorts of industries not to invest in due to ethical concerns.

A policy might also dictate when it should be revised, or who has a say in revisions.

Students from Global Justice Stirling told Brig: “Previously, the university's responsible investment policy had several weak points”.

One of these weak points was investment in arms and fossil fuel companies, which was only

prevented if the investment was direct.

This allowed the university to invest in funds that invest in fossil fuels and weapons manufacturers, circumventing the ethics of the policy.

Another issue was the lack of transparency or student involvement in the policy.

The new changes aim to fix several of these issues. Now direct or indirect investment into fossil fuels and weapons manufacturers are prevented.

Additionally, the policy now requires student involvement and requires all investments made to be published annually.

Finally, the policy now names the border industry as an area of concern but doesn’t limit investment at this time.

When asked about the changes, a spokesperson for the University of Stirling said: “The updated policy further enhances monitoring and transparency, for example through regular meetings and reviews by external investment managers.

“It is important to us that our students are part of the implementation and ongoing monitoring of this policy.”

Vice President of Communities of the Students' Union, Justine Pédussel, also commented: "This policy is a huge win as a result of years of campaigning so everyone involved should be very proud of themselves.

“Unfortunately, the policy does not yet explicitly prevent investments in the border industry so this would be an area that we would need to keep focusing on."

The University of Stirling is the first university in Scotland to name the border industry as an issue in their investment policy.

Image Credit: Global Justice Stirling

Image Credit: uos.femsociety on Instagram. expertise in a male dominated area.”

STIRLING COUNCIL INCREASES RENT FOR COUNCIL HOUSES

By Plum McKechnie Lifestyle Editor

A NEW LIFE DRAWING CLASS HAS BEGUN WEEKLY SESSIONS IN STIRLING CITY CENTRE

By Alex Paterson Deputy & Film &

TV

Editor

A new life drawing class has be -

city

The class is catered to both beginners and experienced artists, with guidance, art supplies and support on hand in each session.

Both lecturers at New College Lanarkshire, the pair decided to organise a local life drawing class after their students mentioned that the nearest classes, all in

Stirling Council announced that rent will increase for council houses by 7.2% over the 48-week rental period for 2025/2026.

The increase will support a £18.4 million investment into housing developments across the Stirling area.

Last year, Stirling Council’s average rent was the second lowest of all local authorities in Scotland. It is 5 per cent lower than peer local authorities and is 28 per cent lower than other social landlords in the local area.

Council tenants were consulted in November and December 2024 on potential rent increases of 7.2 per cent, 8 per cent or 8.5 per cent and of those who responded, a majority of 61 per cent supported the 7.2 per cent increase.

Per week, the rent will increase by £6.09 on average over the 2025/2026 rental period. This is a rise from £84.61 per week in 2024/2025 to £90.70 per week.

What Will the Money go Towards?

The rise in rent will support a major £18.446 million investment into the housing stock in the Stirling Council area in 2025/2026.

Stirling Council leader, Councellor Gerry McGarvey, stated: “We are committed to reinvesting every penny from rent increases into our housing services, and remain

dedicated to improving energy efficiency in our homes.

Not only is that good for the environment, but it also helps reduce the number of tenants living in fuel poverty.”

This investment will contribute to the development of 89 new homes, in addition to a grant of £4.2 million from the Scottish government. Moreover, about £1.75 million will go towards the installation of 212 new kitchens and around £900,000 to the replacement of 145 bathrooms in council homes.

A further £1.3 million will be invested into a central heating program which will aim to replace outdated boilers and inefficient heating systems.

Aswell as new housing and home improvements, the money will be put towards sustainable changes. £1.75 million will be invested to install up to 170 solar panels and 100 battery storage systems to council houses.

This investment aims to improve the efficiency of council homes and provide better housing for the Stirling Council area.

All tenants will be written to by the Council to be notified by the rent increase for their properties. For more information, go to the Stirling Council website.

Edinburgh and Glasgow, were inaccessible and unaffordable.

Mia, who is also a board member of Creative Stirling, quickly set plans in place with her college coworker to create a more convenient and informal option for her pupils and for the public.

She said: “Yes, life-drawing is a really important artistic skill, but what we really wanted was to create a community where likeminded people could come to a space and enjoy each other’s company.”

Mia is also the founder of the The Cube Project, the largest contributory art project in Europe.

Through this, she understands the importance of creating community through art.

She said: “We want to give as much as we can out to people. We realised we couldn’t do as much as we wanted to through the college, so we decided to start this here.”

Getting the attendants actively involved in the class is a priority for Mia and Chelsie.

Welcoming feedback on themes, mediums, and more, the pair want the group to feel like a creative family venture.

Mia said: “A lot of people coming are already quite creative in different ways. Equally, we have people who wouldn’t consider themselves creative coming along too.

“Drawing can spark your imagination in lots of different ways. It’s more about being inventive and bringing the group together than it is about creating perfect, amazing pieces of art. If that happens, it’s a bonus.

“It’s all the sharing, the communication, the imagination, the laughs... it makes the group feel good.

“That’s basically it- we want to create a ‘feel good’ space where people can have the confidence to try new things and get creative.”

From the feedback they’ve received so far, Mia can see The Nudy Two has the exact atmosphere she hoped for.

She said: “We get brilliant feedback. Everyone said they couldn’t wait for the next session.

“Now, we are just really looking for people to spread the word and come along. We don’t want people to be nervous. People are welcome to come even if they’ve never drawn before. Everyone is welcome.”

The Nudy Two offer a student discount. Guests can pay for a single session or five sessions, with no pressure to attend five consecutive weeks.

Bookings can be made online. More information is available on their Instagram @thenudytwo.

Image Credit: Stirling Council Website.

gun weekly sessions in Stirling

centre.

The Nudy Two, ran by Mia and Chelsie, runs every Wednesday at 6:30pm in Made in Stirling on King Street.

UOS MOUNTAINEERING CLUB PUBLISHES FIRST JOURNAL

By Amelia Fryer

The University of Stirling Mountaineering Club (USMC) have officially published their online journal for the first time in the club’s history.

The journal depicts personal experiences and experiences from the members of the club regarding their mountaineering, hillwalking and climbing journeys.

With stories covering intense adventures on the mountains, and some interesting cuisine, this journal is the heart of what the members of the USMC have to offer, and what challenges they have faced while pursuing the sport they love.

When asked what it was like to organise the 110-page journal, USMC Mountaineering Coordinator, organiser/designer of the journal and contributor with her piece titled A first winter in Scotland Rosie Aldridge said: “The idea of making a journal is something which came to me as soon as I joined the

BIRD FLU CONTINUES TO INTENSIFY IN THE UK

By Imogen Robertson

The UK is now an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ). The zone is in place following rising cases of bird flu and went into effect on January 25 in England and Scotland.

The Welsh government introduced measures across the country on January 30. Bird gatherings across the UK must not take place.

Biosecurity surveillance has shown that avian influenza is currently spreading amongst wild birds as well as domesticated animals.

The first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N5 of the current outbreak was confirmed in England on November 5, 2024. As of this current outbreak, the first case of HPAI H5N1 was confirmed in England and Scotland on November 17, 2024 and January 10, 2025, respectively. H1N1 and H5N5 are different strains of bird flu. The key differences between them are how severely they impact the immune system.

In Scotland, an avian influenza outbreak has been identified in Falkirk. Locations pinpointed were The Kelpies and The Helix Park. Ducks and swans are thought to be

mountaineering club.

“Physically making the journal took hours of work, but over time morphed into a labour of love and inspiration from the contributions.”

After being asked about her opinion on the importance of the journal to the club she continued on to say: “Luckily in the club we have no shortage of incredible photographers and as it turns out, fabulous writers. I’m incredibly proud of how it all came together.”

President of the USMC, and contributor to the journal with his pieces titled Åsilifossen and The Strandåtinden traverse, James Bennett said: “The journal has been a brilliant showcase of the broad variety of activities that our members get up to. Allowing members new and old to get a taste for what the USMC of today is up to.”

Climber and member of the USMC Tesla Mitchell, who wrote the piece in the journal titled My journey with competition climbing said: “Climbing has always been a core

pillar of my identity which is why it feels essential for me to share the love I have for our community and the lessons climbing has taught me to as many people as I can.

“I think that’s exactly what this journal is trying to do: share the triumphs and contributions, along with the love and strength that exists in our sport.”

As with every mountaineering club journal, the USMC’s is filled with thrilling adventures, personal anecdotes and experiences from its members.

After making an impression as a well-loved journal, future editions are in the works to carry the legacy of the USMC.

The journal can be found through the link in the University of Stirling Mountaineering Club’s Instagram bio: @stiruni_mountaineering.

the vectors

the virus at the two sites.

In regards to the outbreak, Falkirk Council said it was "monitoring and responding" and that, "the risk to the public remains low, but we urge residents to follow the guidance in place.

"Dog owners should keep their pets away from dead or sick birds and be mindful that while dogs are not at direct risk, walking through contaminated areas can spread the virus to other locations, particularly where domestic birds may be present.

"If you come across dead or visibly sick birds in public areas, please do not touch them and report sightings to Defra".

What Are the Risks?

A case of animal-to-human transmission was confirmed in the West Midlands in January. At this juncture, the risks of acquiring avian influenza are most severe on animal farms.

The risk to the rest of the public is low at this time.

From December 2024 to February 2025, around 1.8 million birds have been methodically killed due to outbreaks. This was carried out in order to mitigate spread.

STIRLING BATTLE OF THE BANDS PREPARES FOR FINAL

Researchers at The Lancet have commented on the pandemic potential of an infectious disease such as bird flu. The medical journal has outlined that: "For avian influenza viruses to cross the species barrier and become pandemic, they must become transmissible between and be able to replicate efficiently in humans."

A 2024 study explains how compounding factors like climate change and biodiversity loss could fuel another pandemic.

Other research also suggests that factors like industrial animal agriculture can be breeding grounds for mutations to viruses like avian influenza.

The UK's Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss said: "Following the continued increasing number of bird flu cases across England, particularly in areas of concentrated poultry farming, we are now extending housing measures further.

"The AIPZs will be in place until further notice and will be kept under regular review as part of the government’s work to monitor and manage the risks of avian influenza."

Image Credit: Geograph Britain and Ireland.

By Emma Christie

Stirling’s Battle of the Bands, Music Quest, live final will be held on March 14 in Venue, located on the University campus. Four acts will be competing to win the prize of a professional recording of their single at Studio 1790.

The Battle of the Bands started auditions on January 27 and the final heat ended on February 17. Each event saw four acts battle it out to secure a place in the final.

CJ, Will Treeby, Taz & The Maniacs, and The Karavats all successfully made it through to the last stage.

Adam Donaldson is a musician based in central Scotland and is part of the Music Quest event.

“It should be a good night's

entertainment and it’s free entry. The acts are all very different too, so [there] should be something for everyone,” Donaldson said.

The final will kick off at 8pm in Venue and should wrap up between 10:30pm and 11pm.

“Venue’s a good space for events like this so hopefully a good turnout might spark more live music on campus,” Donaldson said.

For more information on this event, or upcoming events, you can reach Stirling’s live music society on Instagram, @stirlinglivemusicsoc.

Image Credit: Stirling Music Quest.

Image Credit: Journal Cover, designed by Rosie Aldridge.

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PRISONERS EARLY RELEASE BILL RAISES FURTHER CONCERN ABOUT THE SCOTTISH CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

by Eleanor Meehan

The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill passed in November 2024, with the legislation aiming to help reduce the high Scottish prison population. With the first prisoners released on February 18, 2025, concern has again been raised regarding the Bill’s effect on victims.

The release point for offenders serving sentences of less than four years will now be changed from 50 per cent of their sentence to 40 per cent. The Scottish Government has announced that there would be “no change to the release point for prisoners serving sentences for domestic abuse or sexual offences”.

However, the charity Victim Support Scotland (VSS) has warned that the move will harm victims. VSS chief executive Kate Wallace told the BBC that the early release scheme leaves victims feeling “deprioritised” over “those who are going to be released”.

Unlike previous early release

schemes, the recent Bill does not include the provision of the governor’s veto, which VSS described in November as a “crucial safeguard by preventing the release of prisoners seemed to pose an ‘immediate risk’ to individuals or the public”.

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said at the time the Bill was passed that “the measures in this Bill will bring about a sustained reduction in the prison population as well as relieve some of the acute pressure currently being experienced within our prison estate.”

According to the latest figures, there were 8,332 inmates in Scotland's prisons, above the target capacity of 8,007.

The government has also encouraged victims to use the Victim Notification Scheme (VHS), which allows them to gain information about a prisoner's parole and release.

Ellie Wilson and Hannah McLaughlan, two Scottish rape survivors who received letters stating that their offenders would soon be considered for release, launched a parole reform campaign last year.

Although the Early Release Bill excludes sexual offences, Miss Wilson and Miss McLaughlin believe that all victims of crime are not having the parole system clearly explained to them.

Miss Wilson has called the parole system “not fit for purpose”, adding that “no one has fully explained the Justice Secretary Angela Constance. Featured Image Credit: Scottish Government (right), Victim Support Scotland (left)

This scheme has also come under criticism in recent months. Ms Wallace stated that only a small percentage of victims are currently signed up. She added that the onus should not be on victims to register and criticised the decision by the parole board to not follow-up victims in case they change their minds.

DID THEY DO IT? JOHN SWINNEY’S 2025 BUDGET

by Jess Urquhart Politics Editor

Despite the rise in Labour’s popularity down south, the SNP are set to win the next Scottish election according to recent polls, so let’s track the record of John Swinney, and if he’s lived up to his promises so far.

Last November, Swinney said he had four priorities as First Minister: “Eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate crisis, and improving public services”, which were also the main aims of the Scottish Budget. How have these pledges done so far?

Starting strong, the Budget was approved, but only with the help of the Scottish Greens and Liberal Democrats, as Scottish Labour abstained from the vote. Thanks to this, NHS Scotland is set to receive

£200 million to reduce waiting times, hopefully improving public services. Additionally, whilst inflation is set to rise to 2.7% from 2.5% last year, GDP is set to rise from 0.8% to 1.2%, meaning that the gap in between GDP growth and inflation will hopefully only be 1.5%, rather than 1.7% in 2024. On climate change, the SNP are standing by their assumption of no new oil and gas licences being awarded, meaning that whilst oil drilling in the North Sea can continue, it will not increase. These all seem consistent with Swinney’s initial promises.

On eradicating child poverty, Swinney hopes to abolish the Two Child Benefit Cap in Scotland, as set out in the Budget, but this is dependent on whether or not the UK Government cooperates in this effort. Despite this effort, child

poverty still sits at 24 per cent in Scotland, a one per cent decrease from the last recorded period, but that was also a one per cent increase from the year before. Effectively, the numbers are going up and down by ones and twos, but generally remaining the same, as child poverty rates in 2007, the year the SNP first came to power, were also 24 per cent. 18 years ago.

Hopefully, the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap will come, and when it does, it will bring some relief to this, but until then, there aren’t reasonable grounds to say that John Swinney has fulfilled this promise. Until there are, Swinney gets a 7/10, as three of the four goals have clear, if not a bit slow, progress, whereas the effort to decrease child poverty, despite being 18 years in the making, has still not succeeded.

John Swinney. Image Credit: Scottish Government

REFORM UK CLOSES IN ON LABOUR – BUT WILL THIS CARRY TO 2029?

by Edward Jewsbury Politics Editor

Reform led the national election polls for the first time in early February, sparking a wave of anxiety within Labour that Reform would be a serious contender next election.

This has caused Labour MPs from constituencies where Reform came in second place last election to form an informal group to pressure Downing Street to take action to tackle the party.

Before continuing, it is important

to note that this Reform lead, reported by two YouGov voting intention polls in February, falls within the margin of error. It is also important to note that polling isn’t entirely accurate, and many respondents may say one thing to a pollster, but when it actually comes to voting, do another.

One measure that Labour has already taken to counter Reform’s rising popularity, is increasing awareness of their immigration strategy. This has involved using

Reform UK typography in adverts and posting videos of deportations online. While directly appealing to one of Reform’s main policy platforms, this has resonated poorly with traditional and younger Labour voters.

Another suggestion, floated by the PM’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney, was to make real improvements to local public services. While this is more pragmatic and in-keeping with Labour’s roots, critics worry it won’t be obvious or

As Trump's second cabinet begins to take shape, several key personalities stand out for their controversial stances. With cabinet members each playing a key role in national policy, BRIG dives into what makes them so controversial.

Secretary of Homeland Security: Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem, 53, has been the Governor of South Dakota since 2019. She previously served as a U.S. Representative from 2011 to 2019 and is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol.

As governor, Noem refused to put into place COVID-19 restrictions and called vaccine mandates

‘un-American.' Noem backed Texas

Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to defy federal border laws

Attorney General: Pam Bondi Pam Bondi, 59, has been a state attorney since the mid-1990s and served as Florida’s Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, leading several high-profile legal battles. Bondi previously defended Trump against impeachment and was involved in his legal battles. In 2013, she dropped an investigation into Trump University after receiving a political donation from Trump’s foundation.

Secretary of Health and Human Services: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

fast enough for the party to reap the benefits in 2029.

Away from policy, one of Reform’s main attractions is its anti-establishment rhetoric. This will be difficult for Labour to combat, having won its first term in government a century ago. Only by stressing the non-democratic structure of Reform, its entourage of wealthy donors, and the length of leader Nigel Farage’s political career, can they water down its deceptive ‘newcomer’ façade.

In the absence of a cohesive Conservative opposition, this rapid rise in Reform’s popularity has rightly intimidated much of Labour. However, the party must refrain from both being complacent to the threat that Reform poses, and from overcompensating against this same threat. It has to strike a middle ground, by tackling failing public services and creating a fair economy, while also solving illegal immigration without being needlessly cruel. This strategy has to encompass the whole of the UK, leading politics away from its contrived Westminster gossip bubble.

Image Credit: Above, House of Commons/Laurie Noble, Far-left, Edward Jewsbury, data from YouGov.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 71, an independent 2024 presidential candidate, is an environmental activist and former chairman of Children’s Health Defense. RFK was the son of Robert Kennedy, brother of former president John F. Kennedy. Kennedy is well known for his controversial stance on vaccines, having repeatedly claimed that vaccines cause autism, a theory widely debunked by WHO. His appointment may raise concerns about potential rollbacks in vaccine mandates and public health policies.

Secretary of Education: Linda McMahon Linda McMahon, 76,

AN OVERVIEW OF TRUMP’S CONTROVERSIAL CABINET PICKS

by Paul Smith

co-founded WWE and served as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term. She was also an unsuccessful Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2010 and 2012. McMahon has no formal background in education policy. She has supported expanding charter schools and reducing the Department of Education’s role in public schooling, which could mean significant funding cuts to public education programs.

Image Credit: Far-left, Pexels, Top-middle, Office of the Governor, South Dakota, Bottommiddle, The State of Florida, middle-right, The White House, farright, Linda McMahon.

Conquering Fears and Self-Doubt: My Journey So Far

By Amelia Fryer

Fears and self-doubt are things that every person faces on a daily basis. From kids trying to fit in on the playground, to teenagers trying to fit into made up beauty standards and ever so time-fitting trends, to adults wondering if they’re doing everything right; everybody faces it. This is no different for me, and since starting my university career in September 2025 I’ve learned a lot about myself and coping with these fears, while also trying to figure out who I am.

My transition to university was an unexpectedly difficult one, sure I knew I would miss my pets and my parents. But no one tells you about the everyday things that seem so simple but become a real struggle when you’re on your own. I felt I was entirely in over my head and not cut out for university life.

Like everyone I wanted to join a society, and I had always enjoyed being around the mountains. While most kids were taking holidays to Tenerife or some other tropical trip abroad, my parents took me to Glencoe every single year without fail and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I thought that this was a good way to stay connected to that side of me, and the campus is perfect for it, however I never expected to face so many physical and mental challenges as I have so far. It is certainly a challenging sport, but one I have found to be a great coping strategy, and I have met many

friends and gained many new skills through the USMC (University of Stirling Mountaineering Club).

The skills I have learned since joining the USMC have evolved me as a person. I’ve learned patience and how to better adapt to things in a short space of time as making last-minute decisions has never been something I’m any good at. The mental balance and emotional stability I get from my time thinking about life while in the hills will always be the facet of mountaineering that means the most to me, and it will always matter more to me that I am proud of myself after the hikes rather than how fast I do them.

However, I was under the impression that I was slow in terms of hill walking and that this was a bad thing. My brain had it straight that this was a negative thing and that it was hindering those out on the hill with me, when actuallyI’ve found there are arguably more benefits to being the slower walker.

The USMC has placed a plethora of incredible opportunities in front of me that I have held onto with both hands, one of these incredible opportunities was the biggest trip of the year in the club: Wintermeet.

I wasn’t convinced I was skilled enough with my summer hillwalking, never mind learning how to use an ice axe and crampons and going up a large steep mountain in knee-deep snow for 8+ hours a

A Day in the Life of a Fourth Year Student

By Anya Diggines Sports Editor

The idea of fourth year can be very daunting, doing your fourth year can be even more daunting.

The weeks have never gone so fast during my time as a university student. Every day is a day closer to my dissertation deadline, and this comes with a lot of mixed emotions.

However, it is important to enjoy your last few months as a student before heading into the big, scary world.

First-things-first, breakfast. I always have a bowl of cereal for my breakfast, not the most nutritional, but it works, and it gives me fuel to start my day.

I try to start most of my days by going to the gym, I think that this puts my mind into a good place before starting my day. I like to go to the gym first thing, to try and limit my stress before it begins. Personally I don’t feel much benefit of going to the gym when I am already stressed, as I feel like I can’t actually relieve it.

I personally find that a wee bit of background noise helps me to focus on my work, but that background noise can’t be the TV otherwise I would get no work done. Set reasonable goals that don’t stress you out too much, remember you have time!

Write to-do lists whether it’s on paper or on your phone. A website I have found useful for doing my dissertation is Milanote, a really handy way to keep track of everything on one ‘board’.

After a couple of hours, I like to take a break for a 30-minute walk. Getting fresh air helps you reflect on what you have achieved that day and what else you would like to achieve. It also helps you to get your mind off of work before going back to it with a fresh mind. Finally, it is not a bad thing to still do things you enjoy and not do uni work for a couple of evenings a week.

day. I wanted the skills to go out in winter to see the beauty that Scotland has to offer all year round and appreciated being able to do it through a guided skills day.

Though the day was arduous, it was outstandingly rewarding. I improved skills I already had and gained new skills in new areas; this I am proud of. However, this was only the first of eight long and difficult days of the trip. I was surrounded by people who were fitter and more experienced than I was, and it wasn’t long before that feeling of being outclassed began to creep back in that I faced when I first joined.

What I’ve learned is that growing up is hard. Trying to remember to really live while also just learning how to survive on your own is difficult, things can cloud our judgement and we can so easily lose the ability to think straight. But for me, knowing I have people in my corner who are willing to stand by my side even when things get difficult is what makes everything worth it. This year has been challenging, but I’m excited for what other adventures (outdoors and otherwise)

I’ll face, and thanks to the wisest soul I’ve ever known, I know to grab onto with both hands and not back

Image Credit: Amelia Fryer

Not every day looks the same, some days I will do uni work from home, sometimes I come to the university campus for a supervisor or a Brig meeting, sometimes I work from a café in my hometown.

Either way, you need to find somewhere that you feel comfortable working from.

Sometimes if the house is empty, I don’t like working from home.

Make plans with your friends, your family, your partner or yourself. I like to go out for food in the evenings or watch football on the weekends, go for drinks with my friends or play badminton for fun, even go for weekends away. It is not a crime to still have fun at such an important time in your uni career.

And this stretches through all your years at university, not just for when you are doing your dissertation.

University furniture won’t let us fit in - and it’s a bigger problem than we realise

By Niamh Brook Editor-in-Chief

Hello. I’m a size 16.

I go to the gym. I eat my five a day. I have never tried a deep-fried Mars Bar. I keep myself healthy, and I am still a size 16. According to BBC reports, that’s the UK average size for an adult female.

Yet, in lecture theatres, the desk presses against my stomach, and the chair crushes my thighs. It leaves sore red stripes, a sense of shame, and anger.

“I always kind of thought campuses were more accepting - that we are all here on some kind of academic journey and that's enough to bring us all to the same level,” says Ali Rees, a University of Stirling undergraduate, “but every time I try to go to the bathroom in Cottrell or use one of the fold up lecture tables, I’m reminded that no matter how much I achieve academically, I will never be what society wants.”

It’s quite the topic in America.

NYU graduate Penelope Gould writes in Medium that she had to “squeeze into” lecture theatre seats so often, she developed bruises on her thighs. Kate Manne, an associate philosophy professor at Cornell, campaigns for “deconstructing fat bias.”

“Size inclusivity needs to be a material commitment. So many classrooms don’t have chairs and desks

that fit larger bodies or even bodies that are tall, broad, or bodies that are disabled,” Manne said in the Harvard Gazette. “We need to look at whether every classroom has seating arrangements suitable for a large range of bodies. Until we do that, we’re not even taking the first steps towards a genuinely inclusive material space for learning.”

Lucie Smith, a Stirling graduate, affirms this. “University lecture

seats are designed with money in mind about packing in as many people as possible, not the dignity and comfort of their students that would foster the inclusive environment they claim to have."

Cramped university furniture is indicative of an entire culture. It’s a world where Paris Fashion week just brought us another parade of tiny models. It’s a world of girls on TikTok bragging about having Coke

Zero for dinner. I felt like I had to justify my size so people would keep reading this.

thousands

do something?

Evidence submitted to the UK government in 2020 links increased weight stigma and plummeting physical and mental health. The study shows shaming people into losing weight increases weight gain, limits evidence-based healthcare and tanks mental health.

So, when academia brings

The Stirling Student Housing Horrors

By Kerry Lloyd Food Editor

First year accommodation is always a hit or miss, sometimes you love your flatmates, sometimes you can’t stand them, and sometimes you’re ambivalent towards them.

No matter how it is, by the end of the year, many cannot wait to leave student halls. However, it is incredibly difficult to find a place to live outside of student halls in Stirling.

The way the university requires students to apply for accommodation is odd – putting down six options when you only want the first one, having to wait until July or August to find out if you have somewhere to live, and then not knowing how many people you live with. There must be a better way to do this.

The alternative is to go private, which is also difficult to do.

The lack of student housing companies in Stirling means many students are left to deal with estate agents and landlords on their own, with no prior experience in handling this.

If you do not want to live in university owned accommodation, you will have to wait until the summer

to attempt to find a private flat, which is, of course, not guaranteed.

The anxiety of not knowing if you have a place to live is not ideal.

My first year was spent in on-campus accommodation, my second in off-campus accommodation. The plan was to have a private flat in third year.

The stress of trying to find somewhere is crippling, and when you’re not sure if your friends are going to be around when you finally found somewhere adds on to that.

Eventually, I had to go with a studio flat owned by a private student accommodation company, something that is a bit out of budget, but necessary for my peace of mind.

So how do you go about finding second, third, and fourth-year accommodation? Unfortunately, there is no easy way of doing it and every year will be a struggle. The university has a duty of care towards its students, and in my opinion, they should provide guidance for student housing.

Good luck to everyone fighting this battle, it is no easy feat.

of diet culture victims into the same, cramped space, why can’t we

University lecture hall. Image Credit: University of Stirling

LIVE: Welly at McChuills

By Robbie McAvenue

Brighton-based band Welly took to the basement of McChuills pub in Glasgow’s Merchant City on Sunday, February 9. They were supported by Vincent’s Last Summer and Polly Money.

Lead singer Elliot, aka Welly’s cheeky banter with the audience, alongside the band’s high-energy dance-punk music, meant that no concertgoer left the venue without a smile on their face and sweat on their forehead.

Welly’s nostalgic aesthetic recalls an average British childhood. The band were dressed in primary school-chic, wearing sandshoes, headbands, baggy white shirts and high socks.

But any inclination that this would be a school disco (gearing up to hear Cha Cha Slide) was busted from the first chord strummed by Jacob, the band’s lead guitarist. His jagged guitar grooves gave some of the songs a London post-punk feel, with lead singer Elliott’s ‘talky’ style of singing recalled bands like

Squid and Fat White Family.

A running motif in Welly’s music is the humour and, oftentimes, claustrophobia that comes with living in a small British town. Lead singer Elliott, who is originally from Southhampton, satirises the Great British high-street on Shopping (“We go on shopping!” chanted the crowd).

Soak up the Culture was another highlight as the band take the piss out of Brits away on their holidays to Benidorm, Alicante and the likes.

Welly also had some very funny back-and-forth with an equally cheeky Glasgow audience. One particularly memorable moment was when lead singer Elliott asked the audience if any of them had taken a gap year, to which a crowd member shouted out: “Me! To City of Glasgow College!”. Safe to say they’ve ‘soaked up’ enough Scottish culture.

The band also taught the crowd to gallop and had one fan wear a horse mask as they performed newest single The Roundabout Racehorse.

They finished the night off with

the title track from upcoming album Big in the Suburbs , which quickly became mosh pit carnage as Elliott and bandmates ended the night on a high note by tossing themselves into the crowd. We wouldn’t expect anything less from a band as enthusiastic as Welly.

LISTEN: Oklou's 'Choke Enough'

By Robbie McAvenue Music Editor

In a world where tech giants rule our online algorithms, Marylou Mayniel, aka Oklou, is ready to touch grass. Her debut album Choke Enough , which was released on Friday, February 7, is a love letter to the thrills of life only attainable by logging off.

Choke Enough blends pop, trance, classical and folk music with the help of longtime collaborator Casey MQ, as well as PC Music figureheads A.G. Cook and Danny L. Harle. If pandemic-era mixtape Galore was about online introspection, then this 13-track album is about chasing adventure out of sight from the watching eyes of social media followers.

Sonically, this album sounds as if Oklou had taken her synthesiser back to 17th century France. Y2K trance rhythms mix with folk guitars, harpsichords and brass

instruments. Choke Enough attempts to bridge the gap between rave music and traditional music.

Track two, Thank You for Recording , is a neo-medieval sonnet that would have been presented at the throne of a lord or lady.

But it’s the mechanical-sounding breaks arriving halfway through that pull us back into the age of technology.

Lead single Obvious uses other traditional instruments like the clarinet to enhance these middle-ages vibes, but production from Danny L. Harle leaves the song sounding like a Eurovision contender. Its Balkans-pop driven rhythm picks up at the chorus as Oklou sings the disaffected lyrics: “It’s fairly obvious”, over a sensual flute and saxophone solo. The music video for this song is well worth the watch.

On Choke Enough , Oklou sees life through the eyes of a child again and reacquaints herself with the world beyond her monitor. On ICT, Oklou whimsically sing-songs over a PC Music-esque chord ascension

about simple childhood joys. The song unravels into a brass outro as Oklou’s fleeting childhood memories reach a crescendo.

On Plague Dogs , Oklou sings gently over a video-game synth and a chopped-up sample of a helicopter. Forces layers a hazy doom-metal bass over the wail of a fire alarm.

On Harvest Sky, featuring hyperpop vocalist Underscores, Oklou sings about watching festivities at French catholic celebration La Fête de la Saint-Jean. But despite the song’s religious themes, Oklou litters the song with references to folklore as she sings over a hedonistic, club-ready bassline.

Oklou closes with Blade Bird , a downtempo ballad led by a poignant guitar melody. Bittersweet, she accepts that she has to end things with her lover so that they can be free: “You are what you are / And I feel like a cage”. I would recommend Oklou’s ice-rink performance of this song on YouTube as supplemental viewing.

Music Editor

Welly perform in the McChuills basement. Image Credit: Rose McEnroe / The Golden Blough

KENDRICK LAMAR’S SUPERBOWL SHOW IS A PERFECT CRITICISM OF THE UNITED STATES

By Kathryn Nutt News Editor

A few days after winning 5 Grammys for his hit diss track

Not Like Us , Kendrick Lamar performed at the Super Bowl halftime show. The performance featured Samuel L. Jackson as ‘Uncle Sam’ and a guest performance from SZA. While some surface-level online conversation was about Kendrick’s Drake diss or his bell-bottom jeans, more of the conversation was about what the piece meant.

Kendrick is known for his political messages and criticisms in his music and for including them in his shows, and the Super Bowl was one of his biggest. Through the dress, staging and acting, Kendrick criticises the current political state of the United States, calling out the influence of the mega-rich and white and their disenfranchising of marginalised black people.

Samuel L. Jackson helps to ground the piece as ‘Uncle Sam’, representing America and what they expect people to say about the performance: “Too loud! Too reckless! Too… ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game? Then tighten up!”.

Some commentators were confused by Kendrick’s show. “I saw there was red, white and blue and I liked it, but I didn’t understand a word he said” critiqued Megyn Kelly on her online talk show. Kelly is one among many that misunderstood Kendrick’s performance as patriotic because of the red, white and blue colouring and the role of Uncle Sam.

Kendrick opens with an unreleased segment and then jumps into Squabble Up, with the dancers piling out of the GNX car. Then, with the dancers organised into the shape of an American flag, he begins with Humble and flows into DNA and Euphoria . He follows with

a small bit of Man at the Garden and then dances in the ‘X button’ with Peekaboo

After Luther and All The Stars with SZA slows it down a little, ‘Uncle Sam’ is more pleased with the performance, expressing his relief: “That’s what America wants. Nice and calm. Don’t mess this…” and then Kendrick launches into the anticipated Not Like Us and finishes with TV Off.

Though it wasn’t the most important point to take from the perfor

mance, Kendrick pokes fun at the Drake drama, with a wide grin after he says, “Say Drake” and then the entire audience joining in for the “A minor”.

"The revolution is about to be televised"

Tennis superstar Serena Williams was also featured in the performance, crip walking. Her inclusion could be seen as a dig at Drake as the two were rumoured to be dating for some time, but another way to look at it without centring Drake is that Serena was massively shamed for crip walking at the Olympics three years ago.

Kendrick chose a stage being watched by millions and sent a message about the state of social affairs in the U.S. to a global audience. He called out the hypocrisy of the government and predicted the ignorance and media illiteracy of many viewers, taking his own spin on Gil Scott-Heron's quote: “The revolution about to be televised. (...) You picked the right time but the wrong guy.

Promotional image for Kendrick's show. Image Credit: Pdlang and Apple

Pro-Palestine protester arrested at Superbowl after unplanned flag unveiling

By Rae Archibald

‘Kendrick-bowl’ didn’t come without its controversies, as a Palestine and Sudan solidarity flag was raised, unplanned, during the performance.

Protester Zül-Qarnaįn Nantambu unveiled a flag with the words ‘Sudan’ and ‘Gazza’ written on it amid Kendrick’s performance. After unveiling the flag, Nantambu was quickly tackled, handcuffed and removed by security.

Nantambu, a 41-year-old Muslim from New Orleans, unveiled the flag in an attempt to raise awareness on an international-scale for ongoing conflicts in the middle east. The protest took place shortly after President Donald Trump had announced plans for areas of

Palestine and Gaza to become a U.S. owned ‘Rivieria of the Middle East’ and to displace Palestinians from their home country.

The protest was not part of Lamar’s rehearsals, nor was it arranged in the choreography. In a statement, an NFL spokesperson said: “He [Nantambu] was a part of the 400-member field cast. The individual hid the item on his possession and unveiled it late in the show. No one involved with the production was aware of the individual's intent."

Speaking to CNN, Nantambu said: “All these people with so much affluence and so much following and God, put the flag before their eyes, put their struggle, their plight, right before their eyes. Right in the

face of Donald Trump, the same man that was just sitting with Netanyahu, talking about redoing Gaza without the Gazans.”

The New Orleans Police Department have said that there is no arrest or summons in this case, but Nantambu has been barred for life from all NFL stadiums and events.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called the demonstrator a hero. They said: “This brave act of peaceful protest should serve as a reminder that many Americans recognize the humanity of those suffering abroad as a result of American foreign policy,”.

Nantambu holds up a Sudan and Gaza flag. Image Credit:Matt Slocum / AP

GLASGOW FILMFESTIVAL

Opening night 2025

Glasgow Film Theatre urged to show solidarity with Palestine in open letter

By Robbie McAvenue Music Editor

The Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) has been urged by campaign group Art Workers for Palestine Scotland (AWFPS) to show solidarity with the Palestinian people in an open letter.

Published Monday, February 17, the letter now has over 600 signatures calling on the GFT to adhere to Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy and endorse the Palestinian Campaign for the

Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI).

PACBI has been endorsed by over 150 organisations in Scotland, including 19 film organisations, collectives, and festivals.

Among the signatories is the entire GFT Unite Hospitality branch

A spokesperson for the GFT Unite Hospitality branch said:

“Our branch puts our entire support behind AWFPS’s open letter, with a unanimous vote of support from our Front of House and Cleaning staff.

“Our members are enthusiastic

about implementing this policy in our workplace and contributing to the global movement against genocide, apartheid, and oppression.”

GFT had previously shown solidarity for Ukraine as they pulled Russian films from the Glasgow Film Festival following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In a statement, a GFT spokesperson said: “The letter from Art Workers for Palestine has been forwarded to the Glasgow Film Board who will review it through our internal procedures.”

26 February to March 9

PALESTINE PROTEST INTERRUPTS GLASGOW FILM FESTIVAL

By Tess Bowen

Glasgow Film Festival 2025 launched Wednesday 26 February at the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) with the premiere of Tornado, but as the red carpet event unfolded, spectators launched into protest.

Sporting Palestinian flags and displaying a banner which reads “Glasgow film boycott Israel” in the style of GFT’s logo, the protestors made a statement which was hard to ignore.

As SNP minister Angus Robertson crossed the red carpet, he was met with heckles from one particular protestor who repeated the phrase “shame on you”. This comes after he was exposed as having met with the Israeli ambassador privately last year.

Brig spoke to a representative of Artworkers For Palestine

Tornado : Almost blows you away...

but not quite

By Alex Paterson Deputy and FIilm and TV Editor

Opening the 2025 Glasgow Film Festival is a film full of British, Scottish and Japanese talent: Tornado

Set over a day and a bit in 1790, Tornado is the curious tale of a girl on a mission to keep her hard-earned (stolen) gold and avenge her father’s death.

The films follows Tornado (Kōki), and her father, Fuji (Takehiro Hira, Shōgun), who travel the British Isles with a small, raggedy carnival group. To make ends meet, they

distract their captivated audience with a puppet show, and pick-pocket whatever goodies they come across in the crowd.

This day, however, they find themselves stealing gold from a rag-tag bunch of brutal of bandits. Little Sugar (Jack Lowden, Dunkirk) and Sugar (Tim Roth, Reservoir Dogs) try to lead the ruffians to victory, but are met with mutiny, stupidity and an opponent who is trickier to catch than they’d hoped.

The cat and mouse chase begins even before the title card strikes, immediately plunging you in the danger. As the game ensues, the characters commit more murder and more theft, whilst facing

some character building hard faced truths.

The film is shot in Scotland, and Scottish director John Maclean rightfully takes advantage of the beautiful hilly, sweeping landscape.

Whether in the distance or right up close, the vast plains and thick forests inject a beauty in the film that only Scotland could provide. The wind whistles throughout the movie, rising and falling as the tension shifts. The stormy, torndao-like gusts contribute to the mystical and rugged feel of the film.

Whilst the tension and the beauty of the film are undeniable, the last act of the film is also

undeniably frustrating.

A series of all-too convenient events result in a happy outcome that ultimately leaves you unsatisfied. It may be a victory, but it was not hard-earned.

In the audience, there was more than a few laughs at the absurd occurrences that were just annoyingly unbelievable.

Whilst whimsy and magic are welcome in films- and this film absolutely had room for it-, Tornado crossed the line.

Despite this, Tornado is still a fun watch. The closing act may have been a little stupid, but the cinematography, humour, and mystery of every moment before that is brilliant.

Scotland after the event.

The representative said: “Given that the GFT likes to pride itself on its progressive image and its progressive politics, it’s time to put its money where its mouth is.”

Unionised workers at GFT have expressed their support for the open letter and will be reportedly refusing to handle Coca Cola products at its bars.

The group have not yet had any response from GFT and are “prepared to escalate” if they do not adhere to the demands.

(Below) Director of Tornado John Maclean (Above) Protest at GFT. Image Credit: Rae Archibald

BINGING IS BORING

Little and often creates anticiaptionhave studios forgotten how to hype?

By Ben Macswan Arts Editor

There’s no doubt that the bulk of a modern media diet comes from streaming – whether that’s BBC iPlayer, a pay-per-view sports match, or a subscription service such as Netflix. However, as the flood of streaming services and options continues to overwhelm our mediascape, there comes new issues.

Back in the 80s and 90s, there existed a “watercooler effect” - so named as this is where those in a workplace would gather to chat – when television shows would release weekly. For example, Twin Peaks and its “who killed Laura Palmer?” mystery was widely speculated upon and led to a cultural phenomenon, with TV stations even polling viewers on who they

thought the killer was. Now, seasons are often released all at once.

Netflix and Prime are often guilty of this. Although, it must be noted that some shows such as Apple TV’s Severance still follow a weekly release schedule, and this has led to fans going on social media like Reddit and TikTok to discuss their theories. If more shows followed this traditional schedule, they would persist in the cultural mind for longer and leave a bigger mark on audiences.

Critics of a weekly release schedule may refer to the fact that streaming services often use it to incentivise viewers to stick with them over a period of months while the season is ‘airing’, and that’s a valid viewpoint. Releasing seasons in two-parts has become a more common practice too - Stranger

HippFest 2025 programme announced ahead of AnniversaryCrystal

By Sarah de Beer

HippFest – also known as the Hippodrome Silent Film Festival – has announced its programme for their 15th edition before it commences on March 19, 2025. The event will last five days (March 19 to 23), celebrating over 100 years of filmmaking with a lineup of silent films with accompanying live music from cinematographers across the globe, along with other activities ranging from guided tours to workshops and more.

“

The fun doesn’t end with great films... There are many immersive treats on offer... including a party !”

Things Season 4 released seven episodes in May 2022 and then the last two on July 1st. So, if viewers were wanting to subscribe, they would have to keep their subscription running for an extra month just to catch two episodes.

Stranger Things is also an example of another major problem of the streaming era – huge gaps between seasons’. Season 5 is currently scheduled to release this year, 2025, 3 years after the last one, and other shows, like Netflix’s Heartstopper have no confirmed release dates for their next seasons. This is a world apart from the tight release schedules of TV in the 90s and 2000s where shows like Supernatural would air a 22-episode season every year, compared to what we get now; usually 8-12 episodes with a 2-3 (or more) year wait. Viewers may get tired waiting for shows and forget about them or may jump ship to a show with a more consistent release pattern. Television is now more accessible to the masses than ever before, and there's a variety of services providing top-tier content for all interest and budgets, but with that comes new challenges which service providers and media bosses may want to tackle before audiences become dissatisfied.

The festival opens with two feature films that focuses on Scandinavia and exploring two different sides of the region. Before the Face of the Sea (1926), this eerie drama casts a sinister spell on audiences with fully-fledged folk horror, while beautiful archipelago locations of Finland dazzle in the background. With Reindeer and Sled in Inka Länta’s Winterland (1926), being the earliest feature-length documentation of the Sámi (indigenous people of Sweden).

Forgotten Faces (1928), a tour de force final act will close the festival on Sunday, March 23 – following the thrilling events of Harry, a master criminal, that finds out the truth of his treacherous wife and must act fast to protect his baby daughter from her. Stephen Horne and Frank Bockius underscore the drama on piano, accordion, flute and percussion.

As a performer from the very first Hippodrome Silent Film Festival

in 2011, Neil Brand reflects on 15 years of the festival and his career as a silent cinema music maestro with Neil Brand: Key Notes. Highlighting the great filmmakers of the silent era and the accompanists who make the experience of watching silent films worth it. HippFest will be premiering What the Water Remembers – The Dark Mirror (2025) on Saturday, 22 March, a brand new moving image and live music commission inspired by the Union Canal and Falkirk Tunnel and created in partnership with Flatpack Festival, Birmingham.

Festival Director Alison Straus looks forward to Hippfest’s landmark year. She said: “The team and I are thrilled to be sharing this superlative line-up of silent films presented with unrivalled live music accompaniment. And we want everyone to know that the fun doesn’t end with great films … There are many more immersive treats on offer including excursions, quizzes, guided tours, an exhibition, workshops, talks, an online programme, and of course a party!”

Tickets are on sale now for the full programme, as well as the HippFest Festival and Weekend Pass. Events available at the Hippodrome in Bo’ness and online.

(Above) Severance. Image Credit: Apple TV

(Left) Stranger Things. Image Credit: Netflix

(Above) The Pride of the Clan (1917) . Image Credit: the Mary Pickford Foundation (Below) Friday Night Gala with Neil Brand HippFest 2024. mage Credit: Kat Gollock

Local Matters

A new voice for Stirling

Isla Glen, The Courier’s Stirling reporter, graduated with a BA (Hons) in film, media, and journalism from the University of Stirling in 2023.

Former editor-in-chief of Brig Newspaper and contributor to Air3 Radio, Isla focuses on highlighting local issues and shining a positive light on Stirling.

BRIG 2024/25 EDITORIAL TEAM

Niamh Brook EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Alex Paterson DEPUTY & FILM & TV

Ali Rees SECRETARY

Leonie MacLeod NEWS EDITOR

Anya Diggines SPORTS EDITOR

Jess Urquhart POLITICS EDITOR

Plum McKechnie LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Isla Barker COMMENT EDITOR

Ben MacSwan ARTS EDITOR

Connor Peebles GAMING & TECH EDITOR

Alice Pollard BRAW MAGAZINE EDITOR

James Henderson CHIEF SUB EDITOR

Andrew Scott HEAD OF DESIGN

Robbie McAvenue MUSIC EDITOR

Kathryn Nutt NEWS EDITOR

Melissa Thompson SPORTS EDITOR

Edward Jewsbury POLITICS EDITOR

Kerry Lloyd FOOD EDITOR

Elliot Johnston FEATURES & MULTIMEDIA

Erin Schoolar HEAD OF PHOTOGRAPHY

JUSTINE PEDUSSEL "THE SABB WHO GETS THINGS DONE" ELECTED AS UNION PRESIDENT

Justine Pedussel, known as "The Sabb who gets things done" in her campaign trail, has been elected as Stirling's Student Union President. Pedussel stood on a platform of easing the cost of living crisis on students, having previously said: "Student engagement is really really hard when you can't afford to eat". Justine won starting at 883 votes, until others were redistributed to her through the Single Transferable Vote system, ending with her winning 899 votes, 189 votes more than the runner up. Pedussel's priorities include continuing her work with the National Campaign for Housing to ensure that tenants living in student accomodation are guaranteed the same rights as those renting privatley. On how she felt about her win, Justine commented: "Relieved to be honest, but also really grateful, this means that the students have the faith that I'm going to do a good job, or continue to do a good job next year."

On her aims as President, she continued:

"Continuing the work that Leen's done, and going a step further and making it even more of an inclusive campus. I'm looking forward to the success of it."

Justine's message to voters is:

"Thank you so much for voting, and if you voted for me thank you for voting for me, and if you didn't, please do have faith that I will do the best that I can, and do a lot of things that the other candiates wanted to do as well."

Ellie Hammond, head of Stirling's True Crime Society, was elected VP for Communities, and commented: "I'm lost for words really, I'm so proud of everyone and all the other candidates, and proud of myself as well I have to say, but everyone done such a good campaign. I'm so

"Thank you so much for everyone who voted for me, it means the absolute world to me, and I really hope that I'll do everyone proud as well, over the course of the next year"

excited to get started".

"

I think the upcoming year is seeing all the work that I put into writing my manifesto come realised, and actually being able to start the ball rolling, and get all my initiatives on the go."

Adelayo Adebayo, current VP for Education, was re-elected, and commented: "It gives me a sense of hope that a lot of people believe in what I do, and it's also helped me understand that there's always room to do more. I mean the reward for hard work is more work. It's been an awesome time working with the current Sabb team, and we have one new person that will be joining us. I'm looking forward to the team. Most of all, I'm looking forward to the continuation of a lot of things that I'm working on, so I'm feeling positive."

On her message to voters, Adebayo commented: "Thank you so much everyone for believing in me, and believing in the Sabb, it's a privilege to be able to serve, and to be elected again.

"When you're elected into this role, it's not about being a leader, it's about being a servant, and just sort of representing students, so I'm looking forward to this opportunity and thank you so much for making this possible."

by Jess Urquhart, Alex Paterson, and Robbie McAvenue

RECORD TURNOUT AT UNION ELECTION DESPITE NINE POSITIONS BEING LEFT EMPTY

by Elliot Johnston Features and Multimedia Editor

The 2025 Union Elections have seen a 24 per cent turnout, making this the highest proportional turnout on union records.

2,455 individual students voted this year, marking a three per cent increase from last year.

From 2020 to 2022 voter numbers were falling, but 2025 marks the third consecutive year that voter percentage has increased.

A union spokesperson: “We are really pleased to see such a high turnout again, and with less candidates this year, it's even more pleasing.

“Fantastic work from the candidates to engage students has been rewarded and we can't wait to work with the new team next year “

Despite this, nine out of the 14 Volunteer Officer positions have been left empty in this election.

The positions are: Co-Curricular Officer, International Officer, Media Officer, Sports Union Participation and Engagement Officer, Care Experienced Students Officer, Engagement Officer, Mature Students Officer, Parents and Carers Officer and finally Sports Union Communication Officer.

All of the Volunteer Officer positions were filled for 2024/25.

When Brig spoke to students about what mattered to them in this election, the most common answers involved housing, fees and prices of public transport.

The connective tissue of the issue seems to be the cost-of-living crisis as it has been hitting students especially hard.

Brig also asked students why they thought that student elections mattered to which students told us that they believed the elections were important to give students a voice as without a collective body like the union students will not be listened to.

However, students also stated that they had not voted as they found the union website difficult to navigate and that voting was not worth the hassle of dealing with the site.

Overall, this result suggests that while voter turnout has increased, the lack of interest in working within the union suggests that while knowledge about the elections may have improved the student body's true engagement has not.

Still, this year's University of Stirling Union voter turnout is comparatively higher than similar-sized universities such as Dundee, which saw a turn-out of only 13.4 per cent.

Across the U.K., there is a trend of low turnouts in student union elections, with universities rarely achieving a turnout rate above 20 per cent.

The University of Oxford reached a turnout of six per cent in 2024.

In the broader context of elections, Stirling’s increase in voters runs opposite to trends in the UK General Elections which have seen turnout fall to the lowest levels since the Second World War.

MARY POPPINS UK TOUR REVIEW: A MAGICALLY GOOD TIME

By Ben Macswan Arts Editor

Mary Poppins is currently flying around the country on her latest UK tour. Directed by Richard Eyre, it’s a supercali-you know the restlly, good time.

The show is based on P.L Travers 1934 book and more specifically the 1964 Disney adaptation starring Julie Andrews, however, the production while containing some similarities is quite different to that film. While retaining its emotional core – that of Mr. Banks and his relationship with his family –the show contains new songs and scenes that weren’t in the film, including the introduction of “The Holy Terror” Miss Andrew as an act-two antagonist.

While the loose nature of the first act still persists – with Mary Poppins introducing magic to the Bank’s children’s lives, there is better plot structure than the film which can often feel like sketches sewn together. Mr. Bank’s character is given more to do, and his growth subsequently feels more earned. The banking stuff, often cited as a weakness of the film, is cut down here and a little more interesting, with the slog Fidelity Fiduciary Bank cut.

Stefanie Jones is excellent as the titular character, as moody as she is magical, and Jack Chambers plays off her well as Bert. Michael D. Xavier & Lucie-Mae Sumner provide the emotional core as Mr. & Mrs. Banks.

The set design, reminiscent of a pop-up book or dollhouse, is wondrous, especially during Jolly Holiday where it unfolds into technicolour on stage. Maybe the most well-known, centrepiece of the show Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is another vibrant scene that gained the biggest applause of the night. There was also enough unexplainable stage-trickery to have audiences second-guessing whether magic really is real.

The new songs fit right in here as well, which is often not the case with adaptations. Practically Perfect and Anything Can Happen are the highlights of those, with the former taking the position Spoonful of Sugar has in the film (don’t worry, that song appears

REVIEW: Bravo star Countess LuAnn de Lesseps takes Glasgow

By RobbIe McAvenue Music Editor

Bravo star Countess LuAnn de Lesseps brought the camp to Glasgow’s famous Barrowland Ballroom on Thursday, February 13. This show marked the start of the Real Housewives of New York (RHONY) star’s UK and Ireland tour: Countess Cabaret

later in the show!). Playing The Game was the weakest of the added songs but provided some breathtaking visuals with a giant puppet overhanging the stage.

Mary Poppins is a great night out for the whole family with its practically perfect ensemble and earwormy songs.

A mother to many, fans of RHONY have seen Lesseps get married and divorced, battle alcoholism and embark on a music career. She opened the night with a montage of some iconic housewives moments for the fans in the crowd while singing P!nk’s Get This Party Started Later in the show, she would cover Something to Talk About set to the backdrop of her most scandalous TMZ headlines over the years. Even though most of the girls, gays, and captive husbands in the crowd were there for personality, not singing ability, Lesseps proved to be a multitalented performer, bringing the roof down with chanteuse-style covers of Shania Twain and Soul II Soul. She even tried her hand at the bongos.

But it was Lesseps’s electric stage presence that really made the night, you could tell everyone in the crowd was genuinely just there to have a laugh, and Lesseps was in on the joke. Her stories about her early modelling days in Milan and parties with David Bowie and Mick Jagger kept us captivated. Towards the end, she even joined in on the chant “Here we f***ing go”. Admittedly, this did feel like a fever dream.

It would not be Countess Cabaret without performances of Lesseps’s original songs: Chic C’est La Vie; F, Marry, Kill; Feelin’ Jovani; and ended the night with the endlessly-iconic Money Can’t Buy You Class , wearing a Jovani-branded sequin pantsuit and black fedora.

A show that felt like more of a party than a performance, but none-the-less, Lesseps’s theatrical vocals, extravagant costumes and hilarious banter makes Countess

Mary Poppins UK Tour. Image Credot: Cameron Mackintosh

SALLY ROONEY – WHY DOES SHE HAVE THE AUDACITY?

By Rae Archibald

Sally Rooney is an award-winning Irish author, well known for her novels such as Normal People In 2022, Times 100 included her in their list of the world’s most influential people, and she is one of the most followed authors on Goodreads.

Rooney’s stories often revolve around two people, who are objectively perfect for each other, but something has stopped them from being together. Despite the obstacles, they begin a relationship. It becomes an addicting story, you get to know them, and then want the best for them. Inevitably, the third act breakup hits, but then you realise this is how it will end.

The frustration around the sad endings of her books show that people cared about these imaginary soulmates. The readers were invested, and they likely thought they were promised a love story. So why, if the endings bother people so much, do we buy her works, recommend them, and let Rooney have so much influence?

Perhaps, it is because her books have the power to be relatable. To have known someone, who could have been the one, but was not. Maybe it is cathartic, to know the

book will be sad and read it anyway. Appealing in the way that some purposefully listen to sad music.

Potentially, it could be that books with sad endings are more likely to stick with you. Rooney’s endings are more memorable, than the dozens of happily ever afters.

Ultimately, her books are authentic. Her books feature ordinary people, that you could walk past on

the streets of Dublin.

I asked two Stirling students why they choose to keep reading her works.

Sophie Martin said, “It is part of what makes her writing realistic to me, if I am in the mindset for something grounded in our world, I usually turn to her. The characters themselves are easier to connect with, it is kind of a peaceful thing. It is the knowledge that I am safe with her as an author, even though terrible things might happen to the characters.”

Hannah Morrison said, “I think they are a more realistic portrayal of life and relationships than a lot of other books depict. Most books have a happy ending and that often does not reflect what real life is like.”

The reason is this – in a world of literature that can feel wildly fantastical or unrelatable, Rooney provides an alternative.

A Shining Wonder - A Short Story

By Isla Barker Comment Editor

Once the lights from resorts and bars were out of sight I twisted the key in the motor. And the boat glided to a stop. The slow stop pushed the glass-like water into ripples, which crested away from the edges of the vessel.

I turned around and picked up the small cold anchor from the deck and slowly fed the piece of metal and its rope into the water. Once the rope was taut, I sat down on a beam that crossed the inside of the Wavesailor.

I turned my head side to side. Nothing else. Only soft waves and the moon’s silver face upon them.

The salt in the air had a subtle aroma. It did not overflow, like the flavour of the waves below.

There’s no better time.

I stood up and turned to the side of the boat, raised my foot on the edge, and dove.

The ocean wrapped her cold arms around me, gently pulling me into her heart.

I opened my eyes to a growing black, the moon’s light was slowly fading as the distance between me and the surface grew.

The trail of bubbles that formed a trail behind me quickly rose to the

air above.

I was a drop in a pool of melted onyx.

The darkness did not stay. A path stretched before me as my eyes adjusted to the dissolving light. This beam swayed as I moved my head. The ocean floor was all there to gaze at and admire.

A dozen metres away from me sat a large rock. Not unlike the ones near the cliffs or in the other reefs, but it invited me. So, I advanced towards it to see why.

After some time, the need for air pressed from inside my lungs. My eyes moved towards the boat, and I calmly swam up.

My face had adjusted to the cold of the water, so the chill in the air pricked into my face. Droplets travelled from the crown of my head to my eyebrows and to my chin.

The scene was the same as it was before. No lights, signs of life or changes in the water. The clouds still curtained the moon and let his light pass.

My nose and lungs took in the cool air until they filled again. I looked down to my feet treading the water and lowered my head again. I wanted to reach that stone.

The depths welcomed me once

more. My legs waved and my arms spread out quickly to reach the bottom.

Once the soles of my feet rested on the sandy floor I walked towards the stone and placed my hands on it. The surface was rough and coated in seaweed and tiny barnacles. The light from my eyes caught a glimpse of something nestled underneath the rock.

I leaned to the side and found a piece of sea glass. Still sharp on some edges, but the sea was doing its work. It was white, but the bronze coating that covered half of it shone. I turned it in my fingers and smiled.

Satisfied with my discovery I returned to the Wavesailor. The wood was brittle and dry under my hands as I pulled myself up. Then hoisted the anchor and set it down.

I almost didn’t want to switch the engine on, as it would disturb the quiet. Nevertheless, I switched on the engine and returned home, to come back again tomorrow.

sailboat. Image Credit: Pexels/Andrew Neel

Normal People Book Cover. Image Credit: Faber & Faber

Normal People was adapted for TV in 2020. Image Credit: Element Pictures

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WHY DO WE LOVE SCARY GAMES?

By Ali Rees Secretary

It’s safe to say that the horror industry is thriving. Whether it be movies, books, games, haunted houses, ghost tours, or an abiding love of Halloween, people want to experience horror. There are horror subgenres galore and there’s so much out there that there are even categories of horror – stress, jump scares, tension, campy, the list goes on. But why? Why do we like to be scared? The real world is surely horrible enough as it is. Why do people seek out horror games?

There are a few reasons why fright fans go out of their way to experience horror. First of all, humans are deeply and innately drawn to stories. Many horror experiences hold the same appeal as a fantasy or sci-fi tale – it’s something the audience will almost certainly never experience themselves, and we enjoy living out these novel experiences. For the 10-hour runtime of a Resident Evil game, you get to put yourself neatly into an alternative reality and live through something (a zombie uprising) that is pretty unlikely to happen in the real world. In games you also get to play at doing things you’d never countenance doing in real life, particularly in survival horror where you might need to choose between helping someone and protecting your own interests. It’s much easier to give in to the dark side when there are no consequences.

There is also scientific evidence that people who seek out horror receive not only negative stimulation (fear, anxiety) from the experience, but also positive stimulation

(excitement, joy, exhilaration) at the same time. Yeah, you might be scared as all hell when a zombie lunges at you from around a corner that you couldn’t see, but at the same time, adrenaline and excitement will be flooding your system. In fact, the peak moment of positive emotions coincides with the peak of the fear, and the adrenaline is just going to ramp everything up to 11.

The kind of horror that works best for most fans is the kind that takes our genuine fears and follows them to the extreme, but in a controlled environment. Zooming along in a rollercoaster is scary

but exhilarating, because it would be outright terrifying if we were the passenger in a car going at such extreme speeds and with no control. It’s a kind of ‘safe danger’ that becomes enjoyable.

Games are also masters of the ebb and flow of fear. Alien Isolation ramps up the fear as the Xenomorph approaches, it gets to a head as you cower in a locker, and then the tension dissipates as the creature fails to find you and leaves. The feeling of relief can be a real source of pleasure and payoff. If the world at large is particularly difficult to deal with (let’s face it, it is), people can become numb to bad news and negativity. One way that people may choose to deal with this is to expose themselves to negative feelings in a controlled way, as a kind of pushback. Active, deliberate engagement can help reaffirm our own complex, real emotions – a kind of emotional booster jab.

Why do some people love horror while others don’t? Although it’s pretty widespread, a love of horror is not universal. Some people may find the subject matter uninteresting, or distasteful, or boring. This is valid of course, and the world is more interesting because we don’t all like the same stuff. Some people may not enjoy the physical sensations that come along with fear –the rush of adrenaline might be a source of pleasure for some, but not others.

Researchers identified that people who get the most pleasure from horror are those with the most robust “protective frame” through which to experience the horror. These frames are made up of three parts: Physical safety: If you can

POPPY PLAYTIME IS A LESSON IN QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

By Kathryn Nutt News Editor

Poppy Playtime has made waves in the horror gaming section for its FNAF and Garten of Ban Ban style, its notable creepy atmosphere, and the creative character designs. Despite its popularity and earlier successes in Chapter 1 and 2, Poppy Playtime has gone downhill in terms of gameplay quality, plot and creativity in its newer chapters.

Poppy Playtime Chapter 4 released earlier this month, introducing a new character, Doey. Doey is a large multicoloured blob of Playdoh-like clay.

detach yourself enough from the fear to remind yourself that you’re the one in control of the situation and the zombies you’re shooting cannot physically reach you by virtue of being virtual – your physical safety is assured – then you’re more likely to enjoy the frights. If things get a bit too real and it becomes harder to differentiate game from reality (think of the moments in Doki Doki Literature Club where the names glitch out or your save file gets “corrupted”), the sense of fear may start to outweigh the pleasure. Detachment – being able to remind yourself that it’s just a game (or show or book etc.) can be a crucial tool for managing fear. Make your character do a little loop de loop to reinforce that it isn’t a real experience, and you’re in control not in danger, and that will help bring the fun of fear back. Control – this one is a little more difficult to quantify, but essentially if you believe you are capable of dealing with the scenario presented and overcoming it, you’re more likely to enjoy it. This is part of why survival horror is such an effective genre – in harder difficulties where ammo is scarce, your surety of dealing with threats is diminished and the fear escalates. Or think of games like SOMA, where you have no way to fight back.

Different horror games will work for different people for different reasons. One thing’s for sure though, and that’s that people want to feel the fear. Horror games are an outlet to explore humankind’s deepest anxieties, and the joy of the thrill is here to stay.

The new chapter includes all the characters seen so far and further continues with the story that began to develop in Chapter 3. The main complaints about the game are that it’s too full of plot points and these unique toy-like characters but is lacking in intuitive and creative gameplay. A lot of it feels repetitive and there’s hardly anything new from the last chapter. The plot attempts to be complex and horrific but instead is convoluted and exhausting to get through. In comparison, Chapter 1 featured the terrifying Huggy Wuggy, who’s the face of the franchise, and players raced around the abandoned building trying to find ”the truth” while avoiding Huggy. Because of how utterly terrifying Huggy was in multiple chase scenes, with his rows of teeth and long limbs, players do feel themselves looking over their shoulders for him in the three following chapters.

Unfortunately, he’s nowhere to be found, and the atmosphere doesn’t lean into this fear. Because of all the plot points that Chapter 3 and 4 has started, it’s hard to see how Poppy Playtime could fix this in later chapters, but it would be nice to see an actual plot coming together. Poppy Playtime introduces a lot of creativity in character creation but teaches a lesson of how valuing your story and game play is actually what makes a great horror-action game. Read the full article at brignews.com.

Amanda Ripley hiding from a Xenomorph. Featured Image Credit: Sega

Monika from Doki Doki Literature Club. Image Credit: Team Salvato

Mommy Long Legs from Poppy Playtime. Image Credit: Mob Entertainment

FROMSOFTWARE’S INFLUENCE: A LEGACY OF CHALLENGE AND DISCOVERY

By Dylan Burt

For more than 20 years, FromSoftware has been one of the most influential game developers in the industry, redefining game design through challenging gameplay, deep lore, and immersive worlds.w

The Japanese studio, best known for its Souls series, has consistently pushed the boundaries of what video games can achieve, creating experiences that stand the test of time.

From the early days of King’s Field to the modern success of Elden Ring, FromSoftware’s impact on the gaming landscape is undeniable.

FromSoftware’s games are synonymous with difficulty, but their importance extends far beyond simply being difficult.

The company pioneered a unique approach to storytelling, favouring environmental storytelling and cryptic lore over traditional exposition.

The Dark Souls series, became famous for its intricate, interconnected world design and deeply rewarding combat system.

Unlike other action RPGs, these games demand patience, strategy, and a willingness to learn from failure—qualities that have come to define an entire subgenre now known as “Soulslike.”

The studio’s ability to weave existential themes, cycles of decay and rebirth, and deep mythological inspirations into its game worlds has contributed to their timeless appeal.

Players don’t just engage with

these games for their mechanics but also for the stories hidden within item descriptions, NPC dialogue, and environmental clues.

With the release of Demon’s Souls in 2009, FromSoftware introduced mechanics that would revolutionise the industry.

The game’s punishing combat, haunting atmosphere, and online elements—such as asynchronous multiplayer messages—created a unique and immersive experience.

However, it was Dark Souls (2011) that cemented the studio’s reputation, influencing countless developers and birthing an entirely new game design philosophy.

The success of Bloodborne (2015) and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice (2019) further demonstrated the studio’s versatility, each offering

HAS MARVEL RIVALS KILLED OVERWATCH FOR GOOD?

By Connor Peebles

Gaming & Tech Editor

Released in December 2024, Marvel Rivals is the ultimate treat for fans of the super-hero mega corporation. Featuring characters across the comic book giant’s history, Marvel Rivals offers an almost complete package for players, better yet it's completely free.

Overwatch 2, a re-released version of the original game with slightly upscaled graphics and new characters, has been on the market for almost three years now.

Unlike the overwhelming success Overwatch 1 saw in its first few years, Overwatch 2 has stumbled and failed at almost every turn, resulting in a majority of its player base moving over to Marvel Rivals. According to research carried out by TheGamer, Overwatch 2’s average player stats dropped from a daily average of over 33,000 to an average just over 20,000 players daily. This is a 39% drop since Marvel Rivals release in early December. A drop like this is to

be expected considering how incredibly successful Marvel Rivals was bound to be from the get-go. Releasing for free just before the holiday period and employing a player-friendly pricing model for its cosmetics, Marvel Rivals set itself apart from Overwatch 2 by doing everything Overwatch refused to do, including not locking characters behind artificial paywalls and arbitrarily long grinds.

A big question that’s been on players’ minds for the last few months

distinct gameplay mechanics while retaining the core principles of skill-based combat and environmental storytelling.

The emergence of Elden Ring (2022) took the studio’s formula to new heights. By embracing an open-world structure while maintaining the challenge and depth of its predecessors, FromSoftware expanded its reach to an even broader audience.

The game’s freedom, intricate world-building, and rewarding exploration reinforced why the studio’s design philosophy has stood the test of time. FromSoftware’s influence is evident across the gaming industry, with many developers having adopted the Soulslike formula, crafting challenging, lore-rich experiences inspired by

is this, does Marvel Rivals have the ability to keep up its breakneck momentum, or will it fail like all of the other competitors Overwatch has faced in its almost decade long run? If you’re going purely off of stats, it seems like Marvel Rivals is going to be successful for a long time as across all platforms the game pulls in over 450,000 daily players. Having a new game like Marvel Rivals is great for competition as it has forced Overwatch to implement quality changes such as bringing back 6v6 and allowing for greater freedom in game play with the new “perk” system coming in season 15. It’s unclear if Overwatch will ever reach the heights it saw during its first few years on the market, but that’s to be expected.

Hidetaka Miyazaki’s visionary design.

Games like Hollow Knight, Nioh, and Lies of P all borrow elements from the studio’s philosophy. Even AAA developers have integrated mechanics like stamina-based combat, non-linear storytelling, and world-building that respects player intelligence. FromSoftware has cemented itself as one of gaming’s most important developers, shaping how players engage with difficulty, exploration, and storytelling. With future projects already in the works with the much-anticipated Nightreign, it’s clear that FromSoftware’s legacy is far from over.

Read the full article at brignews. com.

Players have moved on to the next “big thing”, that just so happens to be Marvel Rivals.

Read the full article at brignews. com.

The Soul of Cinder from Dark Souls 3. Featured Image Credit: FromSoftware

Iron Man. Featured Image Credit: NetEase Games

MONTHLY THEME STUDENTLIFE BALANCING WORK AND UNIVERSITY

By Plum Mckechnie LifestyleEditor

University is a lot of work and really needs 100% of your attention to stay on top of everything. Unfortunately, for most students that's not an option.

The cost of living is insanely high, and it's just not affordable to not work at the same time as university. The issue with this is university isn’t built to be done while working. The amount of thought and attention you need to give to your education is astronomical, especially once you reach 3rd and 4th year. Adding a part-time job into the mix makes it all that more exhausting. It’s difficult to even get a chance to unwind and take a break because you are constantly thinking about what you need to do.

The issue is that there’s not really a solution to this. All we can really do is try to manage with it all, which often leads to burn out and lack of motivation. Society teaches us to push ourselves to the limit, but that is extremely unhealthy. Finding a balance is well near impossible, but there’s somethings you can do that at least help a little. Stand your ground

When it comes to university students working part time jobs, it’s very easy to get taken advantage of. Being put on too many shifts, hours not being respected, expected to be able to handle more because you’re young all comes into play.

For young people, it’s very common to be overworked as employers

don’t think that you stand up for yourself.

This is why setting boundaries is a must. Be clear about your hours, and if they get disrespected don’t just let it go, stand your ground!

It can be scary to stand up for yourself, but a lot of the time people have more respect for you if you do. It’s not right by any means, and it shouldn’t take you having to tell people they need to respect your personal capabilities to overwork you, but unfortunately it’s a common experience. Take a break

If things are getting too much for you and you know you’re almost at your breaking point, it’s okay to stop for a minute.

Of course, that’s easier said than done but even taking 30 minutes in a day to yourself, to sit and to breathe and to not think about all you have to do can make a difference.

We get caught up in the thought of never wasting anytime, of constantly keeping going. But the issue with that mentality is that if you never stop then you’ll be forced to stop. Our bodies need rest and our minds need relaxation.

We can think we can go on and on and on, but it’ll eventually go far enough that you can’t do anymore. It’s okay to stop for a minute, it’s okay to think about yourself. The world won’t stop turning if you take a break.

Go for a walk, read a chapter of a

book, buy yourself a coffee - relaxing doesn’t have to be completely time consuming, it can be half an hour to let your brain calm down before you jump to the next thing you’re panicking about.

It may seem impossible to let yourself stop, but it can make a world of difference.

Enjoy yourself

When we are in this cycle of nonstop work and unit, it can be hard to enjoy yourself. When we do get a day off to do something fun, the guilt of not working on something can prevent us from doing it.

A part of balancing your life is to make sure you’re getting away to go out to do something fun and go out with friends. It can be difficult to stop yourself form thinking that it’s a waste of money and that since you’re working so hard you shouldn’t be stopping.

However, for the sake of your mental health spending time with other people is a must.

It’s not a waste of money to go see a movie or go for a nice meal or have a night out. You deserve the chance to have fun, and it will actually help you think more clearly.

Work/uni life balance is hard, and it’s completely fine to struggle and have days you can’t cope with it. You don’t have to always be fighting past your emotions. Letting yourself feel is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your wellbeing, it’s 100 per cent natural. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

THREE WAYS TO TREAT YOURSELF ON A BUDGET

By Isla Barker Comment Editor

It is important to show yourself the love you deserve. This is especially true during assignment and exam season, when you are more likely to be stressed, worried and down.

However, it is also important to manage your finances wisely as a student.

So, here are three ways to treat yourself with minimal or no spending.

Painting your nails

Everyone looks good when they paint their nails. It calms your mind and makes you feel tidy. Taking 10-15 minutes to do something worthwhile for yourself makes you feel good and provides a necessary break from your work. Adding some colour to your nails

can also improve your self-esteem.

In places like Boots and Superdrug, you can buy most bottles for less than £4.

Taking a nature walk

By going for a walk in a forest, on a beach or along a river, you breathe fresh air and relax. Connecting yourself with nature; our shared home with all living things in the world. Tree bathing is now prescribed by doctors to some patients. Being in the presence of nature calms us on

a deep level. Even looking at wooden decor makes us feel at ease. The local area has many places for you to take a break from your studies.

When you come back, your mind will be refreshed and ready to continue with your projects.

Read a book

You might become sick of reading because of your courses’ reading lists. But reading can still be enjoyable and even be a reward for your

hard work.

Reading releases dopamine, lowers stress and improves sleep quality. Especially right before bed. So, transport yourself to a new place, wherever that may be for you. So long as you’re enjoying yourself.

Remember, you are a powerful human who has already done so much to get to where you are right now. You are due a reward. Enjoy your books, your walks in the forest and colourful nails. You have earned them.

Embedded image Credits: Images all by Pexels.com

Head in hands...uni is tough. Image by Pexels.com

It's important to treat yourself. Image by Pexels.com

EXPECTATION VS REALITY: STARTING UNIVERSITY

By Amelia Fryer

Starting university is an incredibly exciting thing – new friends, surroundings, clubs, societies, learning opportunities, future-defining experiences, and of course living on your own. It’s that time that you’ve been working so hard towards: you’ve sat your exams, said a bittersweet goodbye to your friends (perhaps a slightly more sweet OR bitter goodbye to some specific teachers who’s names I’m sure pop up in your head), and partied it up at prom and now it’s finally time for you to gain your independence and head to university! While saying goodbye to your pets and family/friends is difficult, going to uni is a great experience

that will help you grow as a person. However, what no one tells you about is the challenges that don’t seem challenging, and the everyday tasks that somehow slip away from you - leaving you wondering how you forgot to eat lunch that day, or how you blinked and suddenly the clock says 2am when it was 9pm half an hour ago.

We all throw ourselves into university at full force - freshers week rolls around and suddenly we’re charismatic and doing anything and everything to scramble to find the friends we’ve been dreaming of and the social lives we imagined, and suddenly, we’re right back where we were in our first year of secondary school; the youngest of

the lot and the most clueless of our surroundings and any normality whatsoever.

Our routines change and suddenly we’re in an entirely new environment with absolutely no one we know about to start doing more coursework than we know what to do with absolutely no idea of how to manage the work, our jobs, our new social lives, relationships, our ‘me time’, and on top of all that how to remember to eat and shower like a normally functioning human. Young adulthood is about finding ourselves, though this is difficult to do when surrounded by so many people we want to impress, all with different styles and opinions.

A lot of people leave school with

THREE EASY THINGS STUDENTS CAN DO TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE

By Plum Mckechnie LifestyleEditor

It can be hard to be sustainable as a student, especially when most environmentally friendly products are on the more expensive side. So here are three things you can do to be more sustainable, which will save you money too!

1 - Buy a reusable mug

This may be a pretty obvious one but buy a reusable travel mug! If

you’re someone who gets a drink to go pretty much every day, then this is a must. Get one for hot and one for cold drinks!

Not only is that environmentally conscious, it also can save you

money since a lot of cafes give you a discount if you bring your own cup. Plus, usually your drinks stay hotter/colder in a proper mug as opposed to a single use one!

2 - Reduce food waste

Food waste is a huge issue. We are all guilty of buying things we

don’t use or not portioning properly. Maybe you saw something on sale and didn’t realise until you got home that you actually don’t want it. Things like tins of food you never use but got just in case, donate them! Loafs of bread you won’t eat in time. Donate!

There's a community fridge and pantry on campus where you can donate food. As long as it's sealed, you can take it to the green and blue space or the students union.

It's a take what you need, give what you can, and a great way to help students and reduce food waste!

And for the food waste that isn’t donatable, compost it!

It's so easy to just throw your food waste in with the rest of your rubbish, but composting is extremely important. Composting allows the food to break down properly where it can't when mixed in with other garbage. Doing this also keeps your bin from smelling, which is always a bonus.

3 - Invest in water filter

perfect grades and expect university to be no different, until you’re absolutely hammered by assignments and coursework, with dead-

lines so close together that you wonder how you ever thought you could manage this life. Though, there’s nothing to worry about. While trying to figure out who we are while simultaneously trying to keep ourselves alive

and truly live the lives we want, sometimes we need to just stop and think about who we are in this moment in time, and what we want to do. Even if that’s unknown, everything works out the way it does for a reason, and life is here to live to the fullest! Go on that trip, get coffee with that someone, go to your club/society socials, or even stay in with that cup of hot chocolate calling your name and snuggle up with a movie. We’re only young, time may move quickly, but there’s plenty of it.

It's so easy to go through hundreds of plastic water bottles a year. They are convenient and usually cheap, everyone’s guilty of using them sometimes. Most of the time, the excuse is that people want clean water and don’t trust tap water.

However, we all know plastic bottles are horrible for the environment, so it's worth your while to invest in a water filter of some sort.

Whether it's a traditional water filter jug, or an actual water bottle that has a filter at the top, they can be really good.

It will save hundreds of water bottles a year, and also save you a lot of money day to day.

Making small changes doesn’t have to be perfect, the important thing is trying to be as conscious to the environment as you can.

Overconsumption and single use products take over the world, so

don’t fret if you can't cut everything out of your lifestyle to be completely sustainable. Despite what everyone says, little changes make a difference too. Every sustainable choice is a good choice, so where you’re capable, make the change!

We’ve got to accept that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, it can just be trying your best and doing what you can, where you can.

Sunset over Aithrey Loch. Image by Alice Pollard

Embedded image: Campus views. Image by Amelia Fryer

The Importance of a Third Space, where and what they are.

What is a third space?

Athird space is a sociological concept describing a place that is not work, school, or home.

These spaces must be accessible to the community they are fostering, meaning they can’t cost money, or have barriers in place based on gender, ethnicity or anything else.

While few other spaces that in theory fill this description it is unlikely that somewhere like a town square or park can be used as a third space as when the weather is poor they are not available or accessible.

Few places in modern life fulfill this description, cafes and shopping centers ask that you spend money, and outdoor resources such as parks are only accessible in good weather. On the other  hand Libraries, and community centers work tirelessly to provide access to these spaces.

A third space is where the village lives. Within it, you find togetherness, support, and community. In the modern era, these spaces are few and far between, but if you know where to look, libraries and community centres are still striving to provide them.

Libraries

The transactional libraries of the past are no longer necessary or relevant. Books, information and entertainment to an extent are all now widely available via the Internet.

Luckily for the institution, a modern library has not been purely about the books for a very long time. A modern library is one of the last standing third spaces.  The library is not only just a place to go, but one that provides necessary social services not found elsewhere, in addition to

2005 this number drops lower again when looking at low-income students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. The library is working to provide access for all of those kids, having in their very basic function books on offer. The library is an inviting and accessible space for more children to learn to like reading, a love that has many provable benefits. In their foundation libraries are centers of knowledge, and with the intent to spread that knowledge they can provide services not found elsewhere.

More information about the public libraries in and around Stirling can be found at: https://www.stirling.gov.uk/ community-life-and-leisure/ libraries-and-archives/

The Garage, an Issaquah Teen Cafe

of stagnancy means that they are there when the community needs them. Although it may not be a third space open to everyone, allowing only high school students in) but they show an enormous amount of dedication to that community.

By Spencer Haynes

the book-focused activities that go on at the Stirling central library, located on Corn Exchange Road, there is a group for those quitting smoking, fall prevention which includes gaining access to mobility equipment like canes, and there is a diabetes information hub as part of the Libraries for Health and Well Being.

Social care is a key part of the modern public library, as institutions often work to fill the gaps that other social services leave. From necessities as simple as clean public bathrooms to programs involving further education, health care, and literacy skills the library works to be there for all.

The modern public library is so much more than an exchange of books but is instead a community hub that ought to be preserved. This is not to say that books are not important, according to the National Foundation for literacy, children ages 8 to 18  43.4% are reading for fun, dipping lower than when they started collecting this data in

With all this in mind, Libraries are not the only option for third spaces. There are charities dedicated to providing these spaces to groups. One of these is The Garage, an Issaquah Teen Cafe. The Teen Cafe is a space dedicated to the teens of the area providing activities and coffee alongside important and out-of-reach resources such as counselling and case managers all for free. The Garage is more than just a third space, it's a place where youth can become involved in community building and growth with support and resources to which they otherwise would not have had access.

From opening day in 2018 to now the garage has grown and changed with the youth who occupy it, shifting to fit the needs of the community. According to Kaylee “The Garage came about when community members came together to fill a gap in support and resources aimed directly towards teens. It began

as a place to hang out and has evolved into a hub of resources with mental health therapists, case managers, and a housing program. We will continue to evolve our programs and resources to ensure we are providing the support the teens need. We are also working to expand into a neighbouring city.” The lack

from

When asked about the importance of the space Executive Director Kaylee Jeach says “For teens, I feel it is important to have a place outside of school and home to find community, connection, and explore your independence, identity, and interests. Specifically, the Garage provides a safe and welcoming

space to connect with friends and access resources. This is important because often third places are welcoming for families and adults but generally less welcoming for teens. Having their own place provides a level of safety that encourages that exploration.”

The garage provides a third space for teens that is safe to practice agency and independence, having guidance but free reign and a really excellent coffee. It offers community, relaxation, and fun. It is a space of expression,

access, and togetherness that is a joy to be a part of and a privilege to have grown up in. As garage graduate Quentin Allaire says “ Honestly there is nothing positive enough I could say about The Garage. Having somewhere safe I could go everyday after school that was programmed with my interests in mind was invaluable to building my sense of self. Perhaps the most valuable aspect was having the staff available as mentors, I felt like I had trusted adults I could turn to for advice and leadership, something I wish all teens had at their disposal” More information can be found at https://www.issaquahteencafe. org/ or on their Instagram

@thegarageissaquah

Conclusion

Third spaces do so much work for a community, being the social support that other institutions can’t or won’t provide. If anyone is seeking community support, going to these spaces and seeing what is on offer is the best way to start.

Stirling Central Library Image Credit: Stirling Council

After being left up

the first ever Halloween party, Ricki the skeleton has become a feature of the space with students continuing to customize them, adding new clothes, patches and seasonal items.

Image Credit: Spencer Haynes

Frankie, the garage dog and everyones favorite member of staff.

Image Credit: Spencer Haynes

Bike Versus Bus: Who Dares Win

By Alice Pollard BRAW Editor

Every Stirling student has their own quarrel with the Unilink service - whether it’s been running late, not running at all, too expensive, full, or a vomit comet. The Unilink had let me down one too many times recently. I decided it was time to find out the ultimate way to travel to Stirling Campus.

The Santander Bikes offered the perfect challenge - could I get to campus faster, reliably, and cheaper? Or would I be sweaty, exhausted, and late for class?

What is Nextbike and how does it work?

Santander Cycles Stirling operates NextBike. All University of Stirling students and staff receive 30 minutes of free bike rental for each journey,. This successfully tempted me into cycling to campus, appeasing my wish to break the monotonous buscatching routine. The new cycle lanes through Stirling leading to the university meant that I didn’t have to worry too much about the lack of a helmet or navigating roundabouts - phew!

I installed the free NextBike app, which required a £5 deposit upon setting up your account in case you overrun your free cycling time. The app then loads up with a map of the area, and red pins indicate bike rental/drop-off spots. The number on the pin shows how many bikes are available. They tend to be well

dispersed, with vans frequently restocking depleted locations, however, the app also offers the ability to reserve a bike.

When you arrive at a red pin location, you click the ‘Rent Bike’ button which will prompt you to scan the QR code on the frame of your chosen bike. Once you’ve done this, the lock with automatically release and your rental has started - easy stuff!

It’s a similar process to return the bike - once you’ve reached your destination, leave the bike at another red pin location. Click the lock back into place and that’s ityou’re done! Just check the app to ensure that your rental has ended.

I cycled to class this morning to try it out, comparing it to the Unilink as I went: here’s what I found.

Bike Versus Bus: The Reality

To set the scene: I am a relatively physically fit and healthy 21-yearold. I still have my Under 22s bus pass, but not for much longer. I am NOT a cyclist in any shape or form. I struggle with anxiety around the new and unknown, especially with the concept of being perceived. This is how using the Santander bikes went for me.

I left my flat 10 minutes later than I normally would for class, feeling optimistic about beating the bus and arriving in plenty of time. There were four smart-looking bikes parked outside of McDonalds, and I selected one at random. Having heard stories of broken gears and buckled chains, I was aware that I might be in for a bit of potluck.

Bike Pros

- Quicker than waiting for and riding the bus

- Completely free

- Can dodge traffic and road closures

- Available at your fingertips, especially if you reserve a bike in advance

- Gets you physically active, which is great for mental and physical wellbeing

- More vitamin D (valuable in Scotland)

Luckily, my bike was in fine working order with smooth gears and a comfortable seat level. Unlocking the bike only took about 30 seconds, and I was off down the hill to reach the cycle path at the station. Although wobbly at first, my confidence quickly started to grow. I followed the cycle lane quite happily to Union Street, not realising that I had meant to turn right to head past Tesco. I was quickly headed for the roundabout and had a wee panic - at least on the bus, I’m not in charge! I swerved, slightly dangerously, onto the pavement and I was back on track, heading under the roundabout to go over the old bridge. Ensuring to actually follow the blue signs to the university, I headed along Causewayhead Road at the same pace as a Unilink that had left at the same time as me. Side by side, I was feeling smug - but tired already. It was a cold morning, and it felt like the air was hitting my brain when I breathed in. Fighting a runny nose and burning legs, I pushed on…and on…and on.

When I finally returned the bike at the University Entrance, my legs were shaking and I was tomato coloured. But I had done it! I had made it in time for my class, had 10 extra minutes in bed compared to normal, been out and active, had not spent a penny, and hadn’t sworn at a non-existent bus. It felt like a great success - except, I’m writing this three hours later and my legs are still wobbly. There’s some practice to do here.

For ease and understanding, I have compiled my observations into a small table, and a pros and cons list as a result:

- No carbon emissions

Bike Cons

- Miserable if it’s raining

- Hard work if you’re not used to the movement

- Not accessible to people with physical disabilities

- Requires a basic understanding of UK road safety laws, rights of way, and cycling routes

- Some bikes may operate poorly e.g., with buckled chains, and clunky or stuck gears. However, this is a minority.

– Ouch, my legs are sore…

Bus Pros

- Way less physical effort, and offers a chance to sit and relax

- Has a roof! Dry and warm

- Free with Under 22 NEC

- Accessible for physically disabled folk

Bus Cons

- Unreliable - will it turn up or will it not? Nobody knows

- Gets stuck in traffic and is impacted by road closures and works

- Absolutely jam-packed with folks if you get a lecture kick-out time bus

- Need to leave extra time before classes to allow for it to be late/not show up

- Costly for those over 22 as the bus fares add up quickly

To Conclude the Battle

The bus remains the more accessible, less effort, chilled-out option - however, in terms of cost, time, and reliability, the Santander Bikes come out way ahead. At the end of the day, it depends on who you are, what you enjoy, your physical capabilities, and the great Scottish weather. I would say that my bike riding experience was far more enjoyable and rewarding than waiting on a Unilink, and hopefully, this article will help more people recognise and use the NextBike scheme to commute to campus sustainably and healthily.

Good luck with your wobbly legs, students! It is worth the effort. Have fun, and don’t cycle over any old ladies.

Image Credit: Midland Bluebird & Alice Pollard

Image Credit: Santander Cycles

WHAT'S ON STIRLING'S MENU THIS MOTHER'S DAY

By Emma Christie

It’s more than a month until Mother’s Day arrives but it’s never too early to start planning for the special day. Mother’s Day is held on March 30 this year and plenty of Stirling businesses are offering up tasty menus already.

Fletcher’s Stirling Fletcher’s is a family-run restaurant located a short five-minute walk from Stirling’s city centre. It’s owned by two local brothers and won the best restaurant in Stirling award back in 2023.

For Mother’s Day, Fletcher’s have five different special menus to choose from. Breakfast is served

between 9am and 11:45am alongside a later-finishing lunch, served between 9am and 4pm. A limited luxury afternoon tea, composed of a “glass of fizz”, finger sandwiches, fresh scones, sweet and savoury bites, and a choice of tea or coffee will be available between 12pm and 4pm. Two other specials are served from 12pm onwards – the À la carte and a Sunday roast special.

Last year, Fletcher’s sold out of their Mother’s Day specials, so they are opening early for 2025 to meet demands. Booking is now available on www.fletchersstirling.co.uk/ bookatable.

The Smith’s Cafe Located inside the Stirling Smith’s

Museum on Dumbarton Road, The Smith’s Cafe is the perfect location for a meal and an event. Collections and events are available to browse if you fancy a culture stop before lunch.

Their Mother’s Day afternoon tea is £20 per person. It includes a selection of sandwiches, a mini quiche, and homemade sausage rolls (with a vegetarian option available). For dessert they offer fresh scones, various homemade traybakes, fruit, and mini empire biscuits. A choice of teas and coffees is also included.

This menu will be available from 12pm to 3pm, customers can also choose to take-away due to limited

space. Bookings are now open, and you can email The Smith Cafe to book on thesmithcafestirling@aol. com, or message them on Facebook.

City Walls Stirling

A short climb uphill from the heart of Stirling’s city centre will lead you to City Walls, a Belhavenchain pub. For Mother’s Day, the pub is offering their usual wide selection of meals and nibbles with some added entertainment.

On March 30, City Walls are hosting a Mother’s Day Musical Bingo event from 6:30pm. DJ Charlie is leading the evening as part of his monthly Musical Bingo events. Their website states that the event is free to enter but under 18s

must have a meal to sit inside due to licensing laws. No booking is required.

Every Sunday the pub has a Sunday roast on their menu all day long which pairs well with an event, making this a great Mother’s Day trip for those who don’t mind a louder atmosphere.

A CELEBRATION OF STIRLING'S LOCAL BUTCHERS

March 3 – 9 celebrates National Butchers Week.

A local butcher is an essential location in a village, town or city. They supply quality meat and staples in home cooking. As well as sell their supply to restaurants. Their services are more personalised and local people build a connection with the friendly face behind the counter.

Obviously, you can forge a friendly relationship with a supermarket butcher, but local places are always better. In terms of service, quality and knowledge.

It might seem strange to love a butcher in your local area. Like maybe, but love?

John Cullens

In this case yes. John Cullens in Bridge of Allan has been in business for over a hundred years, and I have some fond memories of the place.

I discovered John Cullens in my first year when I was exploring Bridge of Allan. I hadn’t spent that much time there and I wanted to change that. John Cullens stood out to me. It had an old sign between shopfronts with modern and shiny ones, and it felt like home.

Another strange thing to say, I understand, but there’s something about it that welcomes you like an old friend, even if you had never been.

Fruits and vegetables in wooden crates sit under the windows and by the door. From carrots to cauliflower to pomelo and figs.

Memories

I remember cycling from my accommodation building to Bridge of Allan and buying a pomegranate to celebrate finishing an exam.

Another time I bought venison, (which I adore) and made dumplings with them.

I’m not the only person who has memories like this.

My Mum always remembers her butchers being friendly. When she was a student, she would ask for £0.50 worth of mince. And the butcher would give what was likely more than that, since he knew she was a student.

And my friend bought chestnuts from there and roasted them for a winter treat.

John Cullens doesn’t just sell you beef cuts and pies, they also offer a variety of pre seasoned kebabs and steaks. And gluten free products too.

A Butchers’ Role

Butchers have and, hopefully, always will be a staple in communities. They stood tall during the Second World War and economic crashes after it.

John Cullens presence and longevity attests to their importance to people.

By

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Isla Barker Comment Editor

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A LONG WAY FROM HOME: CORNISH PASTY WEEK IS HERE

“Every family has their own crimp” - Fisherman’s Friends: One and All Scotland lies a long way from Cornwall, and yet the two very different areas share so much. Celtic roots, forgotten languages, and mixed feelings for their English neighbours are but a few.

Since moving the 600 or so miles from Cornwall to Scotland, the element that I miss the most is a proper Cornish pasty (pronounced past-ee. Not payst-ee, not paystree. Past-ee). And I mean proper - do not get me started on the Ginsters pasty. The closest ‘proper’ pasty experience most of us will have encountered is the wee stand at Edinburgh Waverly Station - but £6.79 for a “large” pasty that’s been sat out all day, with a load of food miles? You’re pulling my leg. The proper pasty is a true symbol of Cornwall. Many families have their own recipes, passed down between generations and so vary in a wonderful representation of history and heritage.

It goes to show that a pasty is more than food - it’s a token of heritage. Pasties were established as a Cornish staple in the 16th and 17th centuries, eaten by poorer working families as the all-in-one pastry case cheaply fed a family. Tin miners (tin mining was a huge industry in Cornwall in the 1800s, the scars

of which still decorate the countryside) would take the meal down below the depths of the earth, to keep them going in the damp and cold tunnels. The ‘D’ shape was perfect, with the crust forming a perfect handle for grubby hands to grasp and then cast away.

Down in Cornwall, a large Cornish pasty will now set you back somewhere between £3.50-5. Yes, it’s still not that cheap, but at least it's the proper job.

What Makes a Proper Cornish Pasty?

A proper Cornish pasty has to be made in Cornwall. Yep - really. Pasties are protected by Geographic Indicators (GIs), sustaining regional food products and rural economies. To spot a proper pasty in the wild, look for the GI logo on the packaging - this helps to avoid the sale of inferior products (e.g., not proper pasties!). If you spot a “Cornish” pasty without a GI, you can report it to the Cornish Pasty Association to help protect Cornish businesses and pasty authenticity.

The Cornish Pasty Association (CPA) protect the history, authenticity, tradition, and heritage of Cornish Pasties. If you’re interested, it is worth checking out their website (cornishpastyassociation. co.uk) as they have many wonderful resources on the values of the Cornish pasty.

A proper pasty, according to the CPA, contains:

- Roughly diced mince

- Potato - Swede (turnip)

- Onion

- Salt and pepper seasoning

- At least 12.5% beef, and 25% vegetables

- Shortcrust, rough puff, or puff pastry can be used, but it must be structurally integral

- It MUST be crimped. “If it's not crimped, it’s not Cornish.”

So why not make your own?

Well, obviously we aren’t in Cornwall…so it will never be a proper pasty. However, it will still taste pretty damn good, and you can get those crimping skills mastered. Due to my rambling passion for the pasty, I can’t fit the recipe here - so visit the Cornish Pasty Association’s website and visit ‘make your own’ for a solid, traditional, proper job pasty recipe. Don’t worry - a crimping guide is there too!

If you do make a batch, then please let me know - I do rather miss a good pasty!

By Alice Pollard Braw Editor

RECIPE: PROTEIN APPLE CRUMBLE CAKE

This cake combines my two favourite textures: a soft sponge and the crunch of a crumble. It also combines my love for a sweet treat with my gym-loving boyfriend’s protein fix. It varies from brand to brand, but with our protein powder of choice, there’s roughly 35g of protein per loaf cake.

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cook time: 60 minutes

Makes at least 12 servings

Ingredients

For the apple compote:

- 2-3 apples, preferably a kind that’s sweet and tart, like Jazz or Braeburn, but you do you!

- 3 tsp brown sugar

- 3 tsp granulated, white, sugar

- 1tsp ground cinnamon

- 1-2tbsp butter

- A pinch of salt

- A splash of amaretto (Optional)

For the crumble:

- 1tsp butter (fridge cold)

- 2 tsp granulated sugar

- 2 tsp plain flour

For the batter:

- 250ml granulated sugar

- 3 eggs

- 300ml plain flour

- 100ml (about 45g) vanilla-flavoured whey protein powder

- 1tsp baking powder

- 1 pinch of salt

- 100ml milk

- 1tsp ground cinnamon

- 1tbs vanilla extract (optional)

- 1tsp chia seeds

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 175C degrees, 165C degrees for fan-assisted ovens.

2. Peel, core, and cut the apples into small pieces (about ½ inch cubes, ideally).

3. Combine with brown and granulated sugar, butter, salt and cinnamon in a saucepan and simmer until softened; remember that they’ll soften further in the oven. Add Amaretto to taste, if you feel like it. Set aside.

4. In a small bowl, combine the cold butter and sugar, then add the flour to make the crumble. It’s ready when it’s flaky and powdery. Set aside.

5. For the sponge batter, mix egg and sugar thoroughly. Get it as fluffy as your arm muscles allow, unless you’re blessed with an electric mixer. Add the milk and vanilla extract then stir.

6. Combine flour, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, in a bowl. Mix well.

7. Add the dry mix to the egg mixture and stir until smooth.

8. Add chia seeds for fibre or optout if that’s not your thing.

9. Spray with oil or butter in a bread tin. Mine measures 9 ½ x 5 x 2 ½ inches.

10. Not unlike a lasagna, layer batter and apple compote. I try to keep the majority of the compote closer to the top of the tin - but they’ll sink regardless.

11. Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly on top and pop in the oven for 60 minutes.

12. The cake is done when measuring roughly 97C degrees internally, or when the knife you stab it with comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Image Credit: Anton Uniqueton on Pexels Free

Photos

Image Credit: Felicity Tai on Pexels Free Photos (Above) and Madelene Månsson (Right)

An Outline of Team Stirling's Wins

By Isla Barker

Comment Editor

Stirling’s sports teams have been raking in wins and triumphs in the last few weeks. Not just in BUCS, but the Scottish Student Sport competitions, different nationals and championships too. Athletes have won medals, brought their teams to new heights and made the university proud.

Athletics

The athletics team did not hold back in winning medals at the SSS Athletics Indoor Championships.

The team went home with three golds, three silver and one bronze.

Mostly in races and the long jump.

And that’s not all. They also won silver and bronze at the BUCS Indoor Championships, the men’s 4x200m, and Ryan Martin for the 800 metres won as finalists.

Basketball

The basketball teams were very excited to announce that they were hosting two Conference Cup semi-finals at the university.

The first matches will be between Stirling’s Men’s 1s against Edinburgh’s 2s. And Stirling Women’s 1s will go head-to-head with St Andrew’s Women’s 2s.

Fencing

Stirling’s fencing team also

competed in the SSS Fencing Individual Championships. Lucy Higham won 1st place and Tristen Bell and Oisin Craig LindsayDorward took home silver.

They competed in the individual and beginner’s competitions in Edinburgh.

Polo

The polo club returned from the winter nationals in Rugby England. The competition took place from February 7 to the 9.

Polo also had their spring Give it a Go on February 14.

Ultimate Frisbee

The ultimate frisbee teams made it to the indoor nationals. The

women’s team were in Coventry and the men’s in Nottingham.

In the 2nd Division, the women’s team finished in 8th place. And the men’s in 11th place in the Open Division 1.

Volleyball

Both women’s and men’s volleyball teams have played in national competitions.

The women’s team reached the quarter-final of the Scottish Student Sport competition.

And the men’s team won three sets against Glasgow’s two in the Conference Cup finals. The men’s tournament began at the University of Stirling on February

8.

Weightlifting

And Stirling’s newest sports team already fit in with the rest of them. Albert from the weightlifting club won gold in the 81 Men’s Category. And Mariluz won bronze in the 59 Women’s Category at the Scottish Unis competition.

And of course, all of Stirling University’s teams have been performing excellently in their respective sports.

Even if a team you play on or support does not win, they still made it to these competitions, championships and have reached

Stirling University fencing competed n in the SSS Fencing Individual Championship.

Tristen Bell and Oisin Craig Lindsay-Doward secured silver whilst Lucy Higham claimed gold! Image credit stirlingsportsunion on Instagram.

Stirling Uni's newest club, weightlifting, put on an outstanding performance at Scottish Unis. With Albert claiming gold in the 81 Men's category and Mariluz claiming bronze in the 59 Women's category. Image credit stirlingsportsunion on Instagram.

Finn won gold at the Scottish Student Sport Judo

Image credit stiruni_judo on Instagram.

Stirling Uni women's swim team won gold in BUCS down in Sheffield. Image credit BUCS Sport.

Silver for Cameron Thores in the Ambulant 60m and bronze for Sofia Vidak in the 800m. Image credit sportatstirling on Instagram.

Anna McBride collects Third Australian Open Title

By Anya Diggines Sports Editor

University of Stirling’s Anna McBride has won the women’s singles at the Australian Open’s Intellectual Disability Championships event for the third consecutive year.

The second-year sports scholar defeated doubles partner, Kelly Wren in the first round, then knocking out Breanna Tunny in the semi-finals and Eva Blanc in the final.

McBride secured a 6-1,6-1 win over her final competitor, dropping only four games in her run to the title.

The Dunfermline-born tennis star now has three titles to her name- winning her first at Melbourne Park in 2023 and 2024.

In addition to these titles, the 21-year-old also won the women’s doubles twice in a row, but McBride and Wren narrowly missed out this year, finishing runner-up in their group.

The Grand Slam tennis competition is for players with intellectual impairments and deaf or hard of hearing taking place for the first time in 2023.

The event was organised in partnership with Virtus, the international sports federation for athletes with intellectual impairments, bringing together 16 elite players from across the world.

Anna is ranked as the women’s singles number one.

In September, she won gold at the Virtus World Tennis Championships in Annecy, France by defeating French number one, Blanc.

She prepared for the Australian Open by playing at the Hume Tennis Tournament, reaching the quarterfinals, and said prior to competing that she wanted to “enjoy my tennis” and “have lots of fun.”

Letting Arrows fly by Giving Archery a Go

By Sarah de Beer

When I came back from the winter holidays, I decided to give one of over 50 sporting clubs available at University of Stirling a go. Archery was one of these sporting clubs that stood out to me as a sport I could do with my schedule (training times on Sunday at 10:30am –12pm and Monday at 3pm – 4pm), budget (membership costing £30, one of the cheapest sporting clubs available at University of Stirling), and that I could see myself enjoying archery as a sport.

On Sunday, February 2, the Give it a Go for semester 2 was hosted by the archery sporting club and I took this chance to try out archery and see if my childhood dreams of being like Katniss Everdeen were achievable.

As I arrived bright and early on Sunday morning, I was led to a group of other people that are new like me to get a run down on safety rules before we started.

Since archery is dealing with sharp objects, this safety talk is an important part of the Give it a Go – it ran through where we should stand when we’re shooting, how to hold arrows when they’re not being used (arrows pointing towards to the ground so that no one gets jabbed with the sharp ends), when to shoot (there is a person in charge to shout ‘shoot’ for when people are allowed to shoot and to shout ‘collect’ for when people are allowed to

walk towards the targets to collect their arrows), and that there’s no running around with or without arrows in our hands.

As this safety talk was being run – other members of the club were setting up the targets and bows behind us. This was a surprise to me – having to set up the bow yourself, since I was under the assumption that bows were fully made without detachable parts that need to be put together.

This included the bowstring! Rest assured, everything was set up by the time our safety talk was done – despite the amount of work that was needed to be done.

It was now time for us to shoot (safely)! Our target was set to be closer to us than the other targets – since it was the first time we were shooting. People wouldn’t exactly want to come back if they were given the other targets and noticed they couldn’t hit targets because they’re new to archery.

Personally, I found archery fun and exciting - there’s a thrill stringing an arrow onto a bow and letting it go, waiting to see where it hits on a target. I have gone back to archery regularly now – I will be honest, it took me a minute to figure out how to set up my bow and how to aim my arrow in the right direction for it to hit the target.

I will hit bullseye one of these days!

History of Archery

Yet, archery hasn’t always been

like how it is now.

Archery is one of the oldest sports – or arts – that is still used in present day life. With a history dating back to the late Palaeolithic period, around 10, 000 BC, when the Egyptian and neighbouring Nubian cultures used archery for survival purposes with hunting and warfare.

Archery had a particular effect on culture throughout Asia – especially China and Japan. In China, archery has a history that dates back to the Shang dynasty (17661027 BC), where a war chariot of that time had a three-man team: driver, lancer and archer. After the Shang dynasty, the art of archery expanded during Zhou (Chou) dynasty (1027-256 BC), to allow for sport archery tournaments that were attended by nobles at court – with music accompanying the tournament.

When China introduced Japan to archery in the sixth century, it had

a major impact on later etiquette and techniques. Kyujutsu (the art of the bow) is now known as Kyudo (way of the bow), which is one of Japan’s martial arts – the martial art of archery.

The way modern Kyudo is practiced primarily as a method of physical, moral, and spiritual development. After certain ritual movements, the archer moves to the shooting line and shoots from 28 meters at a target 36 cm in diameter set in a bank of sand that is roofed over. The bow used is 2.21 metres long and made of laminated strips of bamboo and wood – not everyone practices archery this way. Especially with the modern development of materials that are more durable than wood (or cheaper for mass production).

During warfare, across the world from Asia and closer to University of Stirling, archery had an important effect on history. English archers played a role in defeating

William Wallace at Battle of Falkirk on July 22, 1298; when Edward I’s army first used longbows against their Scottish adversaries. Before the advancement of weapons, skilled archers were very valuable for any army to have. The English could fly off arrows at the speed of ten per minute, per bow – attacking from a safe distance to get the effect Edward I wanted, defeating William Wallace. Longbows were six-feet long, most likely taller than the men that used them, and had a great range – especially compared to the smaller bows that Scottish archers used.

This is the main difference between archery in the past and the archery that we know and love today – the purpose of the art. Society has evolved and developed in the terms of warfare to the point that archers shooting their arrows from the top of fortifications is no longer needed – not with the development of fighter planes, bombs, guns, and more.

By the time of the 30 Years War (1618-1648) due to the production of gunpowder, archers as an important division of armies belonged in the past.

The first known organised competition in archery was held at Finsbury, England in 1583 and had 3000 participants – starting the craze of archery as a recreational and competitive sport, from casual archery to competing in the Olympics.

Image Credit University of Stirling Image Credit: Sarah de Beer

Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Test Crash: Inside What Went Wrong

By Erin Schoolar Head of Photography

On February 22, 2025, Formula One fans were taken by surprise when seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Scuderia Ferrari, experienced a minor crash during a private testing session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the home of the Spanish Grand Prix.

The crash in Barcelona occurred during a private test session, a crucial period for teams to fine-tune their cars ahead of the upcoming season. Hamilton's crash not only halted his testing but also disrupted the team's schedule, delaying Charles Leclerc's testing session later that afternoon. Despite the setback, Ferrari downplayed the incident, describing it as a "minor" issue.

It happened on the second day of testing TPC or testing previous cars. This is where the team can send drivers out in older models for a maximum of 1,000 km or 621 miles, as stated by F1’s testing restrictions, which are only around 215 laps on the circuit.

As Hamilton was getting accustomed to Ferrari's SF-23 car on the second day of testing, he lost control in the final sector resulting in a collision with the barriers at around 124 mph. The damage to the car was significant enough to halt his session.

The crash had immediate implications for Ferrari's testing schedule as Leclerc's session was cancelled due to the damage to the SF-23, forcing the team to adjust their plans to accommodate the necessary repairs needed to the car. The team principal Fred Vasseur had confidence in Hamilton's ability to adapt quickly to the new car despite the earlier setback in the day.

Hamilton was uninjured by the incident and provided positive feedback to Ferrari engineers about the performance of the car. Hamilton highlighted the team's warm welcome and his excitement to contribute to their success and showed a positive outlook on the season to come.

Hamilton's transfer to Ferrari from Mercades marked a huge change in his successful career. After 12 years with Mercedes, where he secured six World Championships, Hamilton joined Ferrari to replace Carlos Sainz. This transition was anticipated to bring new challenges and opportunities to the champion, as Hamilton adapted to a new team and a new car arrangement.

Former F1 team manager, Peter Windsor viewed the crash in a positive light, highlighting Hamilton's confidence and aggressive driving style in his approach to testing. It was emphasized that these incidents are common during testing phases, especially when drivers are

pushing the limits and getting used to a new setup.

David Coulthard, a former F1 driver, also commented on the crash with him pointing towards the difference between the Mercedes and Ferrari’s different power units which he suggests may be the main reason for Hamilton’s veer off track earlier this month.

Many also point out some similarities throughout Hamilton’s career and while crashing is never something looked happily on by normal drivers, Hamilton boasts an unusual tradition throughout his career that means his move to Ferrari has some good omens ahead of his debut.

Hamilton, upon joining a new team, crashed in the first test outing with the said team but continued to win the world championship.

This was first seen in 2007 when Hamilton signed with McLaren and crashed a McLaren MP4-21 at 300 km/h in Valencia’s Circuit Ricardo Tormo in his rookie year. He continued to win his first Grand Prix and win the championship in his second year with McLaren.

Leaving McLaren for Mercedes in 2012 Hamilton completed twelve laps in Jerez Spain when he crashed into the tracks hairpin resulting in another crash from the man into the barriers suffering a loss of rear brake pressure due to car hydraulics. Hamilton would go on to win the Hungarian Grand Prix then heading into a battle with his teammate and rival Nico Rosburg in his second year to win the world drivers’ championship again.

If the future plays out in the same way, we can expect Hamilton to win at least one race with Ferrari this season, before winning the title in 2026 as seen by his previous seasons of switching teams. If it happens, Hamilton will become the sport’s first eight-time F1 World Champion, overtaking the Formula one racing legend Michael Schumacher to become the sports first ever eight-time world champion.

Following the incident, Hamilton continued his testing program, participating in a Pirelli tyre test at the same circuit. He completed 161 laps over two days in a

modified SF-24, focusing on the new prototype slick compounds for the 2026 season. This is where both Hamilton and Leclerc have had the opportunity to refine their setups and strategies and are vital for confidence and building momentum ahead of the 2025 season start in Australia.

Hamilton will then get his hands on the new 2025 Ferrari at Fiorano on February 19 as part of their launch, before running it for 1.5 days at the pre-season test in Bahrain, which starts on February 26.

Hamilton's move to Ferrari has been met with mixed reactions. While some view the transition as a natural progression in his career, others are curious about how he will adapt to the team's culture and car dynamics. The Barcelona test incident, though minor, has added an element of intrigue to his tenure with Ferrari and the fans. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Hamilton to see how he leverages his experience and skill to contribute to Ferrari's success.

Formula 1 Key Dates

Australia (first race of the season): 14-16 March.

China 21-23 March.

Japan 4-6 April.

Bahrain 11-13 April.

Saudi Arabia 18-20 April

Miami 2-4 May.

Emilia-Romagna 16-18 May.

Monaco 23-25 May.

Spain 30-1 May/June.

Canada 13-15 June.

Austria 27-29 June.

Great Britan 4-6 July.

Belgium 25-27 July.

Hungary 1-3 August.

Netherlands 29-31 August.

Ital:y 5-7 September.

Azerbaijan 19-21 September.

Singapore 3-5 October.

United States 17-19 October.

Mexico 24-26 October.

Brazil 7-9 November.

Las Vegas 20-22 November.

Qatar 28-30 November.

Abu Dhabi 5-7 December.

A Beginner's Guide to American Football

By Melissa Thomson Sports Editor

An American football field is 100 yards long, with two endzones at each end, and two uprights at the end of the endzones.

To score a touchdown, you either have to catch the ball in or run with the ball into the endzone. This will award your team six points, and you then have the choice to either attempt an extra point, or a twopoint conversion.

To score an extra point, the ball is placed on the 15-yard line, and you must kick it through the uprights at the back of the endzone. If you succeed you will get one point. If you choose to attempt a two-point conversion, the ball is placed on the two-yard line and you have to either run with it into or catch it in the endzone.

A field goal can technically be kicked from anywhere on the pitch, however the record for longest field goal is 66 yards (set by Ravens Justin Tucker in 2021). Like with an extra point, to score a field goal you must kick the ball through the uprights. Unlike an extra point, if you succeed you will be awarded three points.

At any given point, there are 11 players on the field from each team (22 overall). This is made up of offence, defence, and special teams. The offence’s aim is to score by moving down the field. They will be given 4 attempts (known as ‘downs’) to move ten yards from

the line of scrimmage. Once they have moved these ten yards, they are awarded a first down and they do the whole thing again.

They repeat this process until they either run out of downs, or score. If they get to fourth down and they still haven’t moved ten yards, they can kick a field goal if close enough.

If they are not close enough, they have to punt the ball to the other team. This is where they kick the ball as far downfield as they can and then the other team will catch it, and their offence takes the field where the ball was caught.

If a team goes for it on fourth down, and they don’t get the first down, the opposing team will take possession from that point on the field. This can make going for it on fourth down risky and is why a team will likely punt.

The defence’s goal is to stop the offence from getting a first down and scoring. Special teams include the punt team, kicking team, and the punt and kick returners.

Offensive Positions

- Quarterback: will either hand the ball off to a running back or throw to a skill position player. Sometimes they also need to run with the ball themselves, but typically they will only do this if it is absolutely necessary to avoid risking injury.

- Running back: will line up behind the line of scrimmage with the

quarterback and will run with the ball. They are also used at times as blockers against the defence.

- Wide receiver: will run down field and catch the ball from the quarterback. They are typically very fast and agile.

- Tight end: similar to a wide receiver, but they tend to also block the defensive line instead of just running and catching.

- Offensive line: will block against the defensive line in an attempt to protect their quarterback and give him enough time to make a play.

Defensive Positions

- Defensive line: their goal ultimately is to get to the quarterback and tackle him – known as a sack if it is behind the line of scrimmage.

- Cornerback: they generally cover the wide receivers and attempt to intercept the ball so the wide receiver can’t catch it.

- Safety: similar to a cornerback, but they tend to also be used as blockers.

Special Teams Positions

- Kicker: will kick field goals, extra points, and the kick-off. They will always kick with the ball starting on the ground.

- Punter: will kick punts. This is different to a kicker because a punter will start by holding the ball and then dropping it and kicking it.

Stirling Uni Falls Short as Linlithgow Rose Advances in SLFL Cup

By Dylan Burt

Final Score: University of Stirling 1-3 Linlithgow Rose FC Venue: Forthbank Stadium

Competition: SLFL Cup Quarter Final

Cagey First Half Ends Goalless

The match kicked off at 19:48, with both teams struggling to create meaningful chances in a slowpaced first half.

With a few players being rested and injuries affecting Stirling's lineup, they managed to hold their shape well, limiting Linlithgow to only a couple of half-chances.

Similarly, Stirling found themselves in good attacking opportunities, but they failed to capitalise on them to secure a goal.

The first half ended as a non-eventful stalemate at 0-0.

Intensity Rises in the Second Half

With the second half kicking off, it wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken.

Linlithgow was awarded a penalty in the 57th minute after a clumsy challenge inside Stirling’s box, and Dylan Patterson calmly slotted home the penalty to give the visitors the lead.

Five minutes later, Linlithgow doubled their advantage when a through ball found Laurie Devine one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his effort was well saved.

However, the rebound went straight back to him; he then played a pass to Patterson McMullan in

the middle, who slotted home to put Rose 2-0 ahead.

Stirling responded quickly, pulling one back in the 75th minute when a poor back-pass from a Linlithgow defender allowed Finn Regan to run straight through and slot it in.

As they pushed for an equaliser, Cammy Thomson delivered a wellplaced cross into the box at the 80th minute, finding Dean Watson at the back post, who finished it comfortably putting Rose up 3-1.

Stirling almost found their second goal but missed a tap-in, failing to keep them in the game.

Despite a valiant effort from Stirling, it was Linlithgow’s ability to capitalise on mistakes that proved decisive.

The result sees Linlithgow Rose progress to the semi-finals of the SLFL Cup, leaving Stirling to reflect on a game where they showed promise but were ultimately undone by crucial moments.

Post-match head coach Chris Geddes commented:

"It is what it is. We were up against a team that was clinical, and they punished us for our mistakes, and that's the outcome. With a young team out there, mistakes are going to happen, but there were still a lot of positives to take from the game. Several players put in strong performances as well."

Image Credit: Jean-daniel Francoeur vie pexels.com

Image Credit: George Vekic

Stirling Men's Tennis Triumphs as BUCS National Champions

By Dylan Burt

The University of Stirling men's tennis team clinched the 2024/25 BUCS National League title with an undefeated season, reaffirming their dominance in UK university tennis.

This achievement solidifies Stirling’s dominance in university tennis, as the team now holds all four BUCS men's national titles: the National League, National Championship, singles, and doubles.

The team, led by captain Liam Hignett and comprising Robert Cowley, Cameron Fryer, Kyle McKay, and Patrick Young, demonstrated exceptional skill and determination throughout the season.

They sealed the championship with a commanding performance, including a crucial win over Nottingham and a 4-2 victory against Durham.

The squad finished the season with eight wins and two draws,

an impressive feat that underlines their skill and resilience.

Scott MacAulay, Lead Tennis Coach at the University of Stirling, praised the team’s achievements.

"For them to hold all four national itles at the same time is an impressive accomplishment. The players have put in incredible performances across the season, and going undefeated is testament to their training, focus, and determination. We are excited to see what the rest of the season holds as we aim to finish the year on a high."

This triumph is just the latest in a series of successes for Stirling’s tennis program.

Hignett recently won a silver medal with Great Britain at the prestigious Master'U BNP Paribas tournament, which is regarded as the top international event in university tennis.

Meanwhile, fellow student Anna McBride continued her winning streak by claiming her third consecutive women’s singles title at

the Australian Open’s Intellectual Disability Championships.

Stirling last won the BUCS National League title in 2021/22, finishing as runners-up in the past two seasons.

This latest triumph adds to the doubles title won earlier this season by Hignett and Cowley, as well as Hignett’s singles title and last season’s BUCS Championship Cup victory.

The team’s success further cements Stirling’s status as a leader in university tennis.

David Bond, Head of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, also commended the players.

"Congratulations to the men’s tennis team on their undefeated, title-winning season in the BUCS National League. To be champions in such a competitive league is an excellent achievement, but to do it without losing a match is even more remarkable."

The University of Stirling, recognised as Scotland’s University for

Marc Austin New Lead Coach of National Triathlon

By Anya Diggines Sports Editor

Sporting Excellence, continues to nurture elite athletes through its International Sports Scholarship Programme.

This initiative offers funding support, academic flexibility, access to world-class facilities and coaching, and has supported numerous athletes who have gone on to compete at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and other elite competitions.

Looking ahead, Stirling’s men's team will now focus on upcoming challenges, including the BUCS Championship Cup quarterfinals on February 26 and the singles finals from March 21-23.

With momentum on their side, they aim to cap off an already historic season with further success on the national stage.

Image Credit: BUCS - From left to right:

Captain Liam Hignett with trophy, Cameron Fryer, and Patrick Young

Commonwealth Games medallist and former University of Stirling sports scholar Marc Austin has been appointed as the new Lead Performance Coach of the National Traiathlon Centre, which is a partnership between StirlingScotland's University for Sporting Excellence, British Triathlon and Triathlon Scotland.

Austin replaces Crawford Whyte in the top role and knows the Centre well, having trained there as an athlete himself and holding the position of Support and Next Generation Coach since 2023.

Reflecting on his new appointment, Austin said: "I am proud to be appointed Lead Performance Coach of the National Triathlon Centre here at the University of Stirling.

"Having been an athelete on the University's high-performance programme between 2011 and 2015, I understand the opportunities and he challenges of training and competing at the highest level while balancing studies.

"I am fortunate to be working with an incredibly talented group of athletes and look forward to supporting their development."

Image Credit: University of Stirling

Robert Cowley, Kyle McKay,